European Ministers for Development and Cooperation met on Tuesday 7 May for a Foreign Affairs Council specifically dedicated to development (see EUROPE 13405/7) and chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. As the military operation launched by Israel in Rafah on Monday continued, Mr Borrell reiterated the EU’s call for a ceasefire.
“The EU and the member states continue to call for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance. We reiterated that everyone in the region needs to exercise restraint and take steps to de-escalate. Further escalation is in no one’s interest”, he said in a statement at the end of the meeting.
This new appeal is in line with the conclusions adopted by European leaders meeting in Brussels in late March and in mid-April. In particular, the EU27 had indicated that an Israeli operation at Rafah would provoke a new response from the EU.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army entered the city of Rafah with its tanks, claiming on the social network ‘X’ to be carrying out a “counter-terrorism” operation and taking control of the only crossing point for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Last Sunday, the Kerem Shalom crossing in the north was closed following rocket fire claimed by Hamas.
“We will reflect with member countries on the most appropriate response from the EU”, said Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European External Action Service, ahead of the next Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for Monday 27 May.
“I would like to call on Member States and the international community to stop [exporting] weapons immediately”, stated the Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation, Caroline Gennez, on Tuesday morning.
UNRWA. In view of the deteriorating situation, European ministers called for increased funding for the humanitarian protection of civilians (see other news). They also reiterated their confidence in UNRWA (see EUROPE 13337/16).
“Spain has already said that UNRWA is indispensable and that we must step up our support”, said Eva Granados Galiano, Spain's State Secretary for International Cooperation.
“I urge the Commission to resume commitments and payments to UNRWA. I think it’s clear that the ‘Colonna’ report [...] made sure that there was a guarantee that it would be done”, said Ms Gennez. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)