Borrell fears “many more civilian deaths” in the Israeli offensive in Rafah
The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, expressed this Tuesday his concern that the Israeli offensive against Rafah that began in the early hours of the morning could cause the death of “many” more civilian victims, “whatever Israel says,” because “there are no safe areas” in Gaza. Upon entering a Foreign Affairs Council focused on Development and Cooperation issues, the head of European diplomacy has also urged the entire international community to resume financing UNRWA, an institution more necessary than ever in the face of the difficult situation of the Gazans, he said.
“Despite warnings and requests, the attack [en Rafah] It started at night. I fear that this is going to cause many civilian deaths again, whatever they say (…) because there are no safe areas in Gaza,” said Borrell, who recalled that “there are 600,000 children in Gaza.” The head of European diplomacy had joined international voices the day before urging Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to “renounce” a ground offensive in Rafah, something “unacceptable” that will cause “more war and hunger,” as he warned online. social
Moments before meeting with the highest representatives of Development and Cooperation of the Member States, Borrell also urged the immediate resumption of all payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after the publication of the independent report of the former French minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, who concluded that Israel has not provided evidence that UNRWA personnel are linked to Islamist organizations such as Hamas.
“It is time to resume support for UNRWA. After the Colonna report, I see no reason not to start making full payments to the UN again (…) the idea of cutting funds to UNRWA has no basis,” said Borrell, who recalled that the European Commission continues to retain a item of 32 million euros that he linked to the publication of the independent report now known (in March he released a first item of 50 million). “I hope ministers will support it,” he said, indicating that states have already resumed their own payments.
The head of European diplomacy has indicated that political issues, such as the question of a possible political response to Israel, will be discussed at the next meeting of European foreign ministers, on May 27, although he recalled that the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen still has not responded to the letter sent by Spain and Ireland to ask to review the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel, an extreme that continues to encounter strong opposition from countries like Germany.
In any case, Borrell has admitted that for the moment, “unfortunately, there is no possibility of starting to discuss peace plans” and that the priority at this moment is “to continue working on a ceasefire, the release of hostages and, then, begin a political process.”
