EU's Borrell urges Israel to end Rafah operation

France hosts humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries

FILE PHOTO: European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends a joint news conference with European Commissioner Janez Lenarcic, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne as part of an International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, April 15, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

The European Union urges Israel to end its operation in Rafah immediately as the operation disrupts the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and is leading to more internal displacement, famine and suffering, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on Wednesday.

"The EU is calling on Israel to refrain from further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reopen the crossing point of Rafah. Should Israel continue its military operation in Rafah, it would inevitably put a heavy strain on the EU’s relationship with Israel," Borrell said in a statement posted on X.

Borrell also said that under International Humanitarian Law, Israel must allow and facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians, citing International Court of Justice orders.

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He added that, in this regard, the EU also condemns the attack by Hamas on the Kerem Shalom crossing, which has further obstructed the delivery of humanitarian relief.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters