17/06/24 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 17 June, Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, described on X as a “first step” Israel’s decision, the day before the traditional Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, to implement a daily pause in its operations until further notice. This decision should facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid between the Kerem Shalom crossing, in the south of the Gaza Strip, and the European hospital in the Al-Fukhari district, north of Rafah. On Tuesday 11 June, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, urged Israel to reopen delivery points for humanitarian aid (see EUROPE 13429/22). (BD)