EU to revive Rafah mission despite criticism from Borrell towards Israel’s Netanyahu

The European Union has taken a significant step towards reviving its EU civilian mission in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, next to Egypt. The decision was made during a monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers, where the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, announced plans to reactivate the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Rafah.

The mission, which has been inactive since 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza, aims to support the entry of people into and out of Gaza through the Rafah crossing, the main entry point for aid from Egypt. Borrell emphasized the need for agreements from all sides, including the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Israel, to move forward with the mission.

However, tensions remain high in the region, with Israeli airstrikes in Rafah killing at least 45 Palestinians in a tent camp and injuring dozens. Borrell criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for using false claims of antisemitism against the International Criminal Court (ICC) for political gain.

In response to recent decisions by international courts, including the ICC seeking arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes, Borrell called for dialogue and cooperation to implement a two-state solution. The EU also agreed to hold a meeting with Israel to discuss the situation in Gaza and human rights issues.

As the situation in Rafah remains volatile, the EU’s decision to revive the mission signals a commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. However, challenges lie ahead as all parties must come to an agreement for the mission to proceed effectively.