Spain Proposes EU Mission at Rafah Crossing Amid Strained Humanitarian Situation
At the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting beginning Monday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced plans for deploying a European mission at the Rafah crossing. This undertaking aims to support the Palestinian National Authority, to which Spain intends to contribute personnel from the Civil Guard. Albares explained to the media that the mission would operate at the Rafah crossing, the only land passage between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Its primary objective is to assist in controlling the flow of individuals through the checkpoint, promoting its normalization.
As discussions advance, Albares emphasized the need for the deployment to happen swiftly, highlighting that the precise number of Civil Guard agents to be involved remains unspecified but will be adequate for the mission's objectives.
The backdrop for these developments includes heightened tensions regarding Gaza. In reference to a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating approximately 1.5 million Palestinians to neighboring Jordan or Egypt, Albares strongly asserted that the 'EU's position is clear: Gazans must stay in Gaza.' He underscores that Gaza is integral to the future of Palestine, advocating for the entire region, including the West Bank, to be managed under a unified Palestinian National Authority as soon as achievable.
Additionally, Albares called for a significant increase in EU humanitarian aid to Gaza, necessary to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a year of Israeli military operations. He identified the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as critical to ensuring aid reaches those in dire need.
On a related note, Albares plans to discuss lifting humanitarian and economic sanctions imposed on the previous Syrian regime during the meeting, highlighting that the current sanctions heavily affect the civilian population. He conveyed optimism that consensus among European colleagues could be reached, potentially allowing for sanctions to be lifted by February, contingent upon progress toward democracy and respect for human rights under the new Syrian administration.
Albares recently visited Syria and Lebanon, noting that about 90% of Syrians live in poverty and emphasizing the urgency of addressing these sanctions. His concerns extend to Lebanon, where he expressed dismay over the resurgence of violence following a ceasefire expiration between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. He condemned the recent deaths in Lebanon, advocating for the adherence to a ceasefire, while pushing for robust economic assistance aimed at Lebanon's reconstruction, highlighting the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure national sovereignty and security for residents near the Israeli border.
The humanitarian and geopolitical dynamics in the region remain complex, with ongoing shifts in alliances and the desperate need for aid. The international discourse surrounding Palestinian rights and the future of Gaza is poised to shape diplomatic efforts, as the EU seeks to address both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term political solutions.
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