The leaders of the European Union have expressed their support for the three-phase roadmap for a lasting peace in the Middle East proposed by Israel, the main terms of which were made public by US President Joe Biden on Friday 31 May.
The first phase of the plan includes a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas in Gaza, the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and an influx of humanitarian aid.
The second phase of the plan includes a permanent cessation of hostilities, an exchange for the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The third phase includes a major reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the “final remains of hostages” to their families.
“All our support to President Biden’s roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of hostages leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of IDF and reconstruction efforts to commence! The war has to end now”, declared Mr Borrell on the social network X on Friday evening.
According to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the plan is “balanced and realistic” and represents “a significant opportunity to move towards an end to war and civilian suffering in Gaza”.
Finally, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, considered it “crucial that this opens space for talks on a long-term solution, notably a permanent cessation of hostilities & withdrawal of Israeli forces, as well as Gaza reconstruction”.
“Grateful for US efforts, in cooperation with key partners notably Qatar and Egypt. The suffering must stop”, he wrote on X on Friday, calling on all parties to seize this “opportunity for peace”.
On Monday 3 June, deadly bombardments hit Rafah again. While Hamas said it viewed the roadmap “positively”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his determination to continue the war until Hamas was “destroyed”, AFP reported.
On Monday, the UN reported that around 55% of buildings in the Gaza Strip had been damaged or destroyed since the attack by commandos from the Palestinian Islamist movement last October (see EUROPE 13271/2). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)