Dear President,
Honourable Members,
Thank you for providing the opportunity to follow up on the debate which we had on 7 October and to address the major developments that took place since then.
The situation is evolving rapidly, yet it remains deeply fragile, in particular with regards to the ongoing dynamics in Gaza, and its broader implications for the Middle East.
In that context, what can be the role for the EU?
I am aware that some of you, honourable members, are travelling to Israel and Palestine next week and I very much welcome your engagement.
The Gaza conflict remains at the heart of regional politics.
Despite the recent ceasefire and the hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic.
The first phase of the agreement has shown promising signs with the release of hostages and political prisoners.
This is a major achievement, and an immense relief for their families.
However, we must now see tangible progress on three critical fronts:
the full release also of the deceased hostages, the withdrawal of the Israeli army along the agreed lines, and the substantial and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The European Union is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this delicate situation.
We stand ready to contribute to the comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at stabilising the region, whilst also continuing to engage both with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government.
Firstly, the EU can play a crucial role in supporting Gaza through immediate and large-scale humanitarian aid, working through key partners.
This involves increasing aid deliveries via the Humanitarian Air Bridge and exploring all access routes, including the Cyprus corridor.
Additionally, we can scale up medical evacuations of Palestinian patients to Europe through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
We can also consider deploying European civil protection resources to support critical operations such as search and rescue, rubble removal, and decontamination.
In the humanitarian context the EU will remain a steadfast supporter of the UN and its agencies. In fact, UN presence is indispensable to achieving immediate humanitarian relief.
But we also need the UN to transition from emergency assistance to comprehensive recovery and overall stabilisation in view of supporting and empowering Palestinian Institutions.
Secondly, the EU has the tools to support security arrangements.
The CSDP mission EUBAM Rafah is ready to redeploy and ensure a third-party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point. EUPOL COPPS could consider extending police training activities further to Gaza.
We are also assessing ways to finance and provide expertise for disarmament, demobilization, reintegration (DDR).
However, this needs to be rooted in a clear political process.
Thirdly, we have a keen interest to contribute to governance arrangements.
We explore membership in the Board of Peace oversight body, while we can also provide technical support to the technocratic Palestinian Committee.
Governance also comprises the reform of the Palestinian Authority that we would like jointly monitor via the newly established Palestine Donor Group to which I come back later.
On governance issues, the EU has also been consistently clear on the need for a role of the Palestinian Authority in the future of Gaza.
Fourth, on reconstruction, President von der Leyen announced in the SOTEU a dedicated support package for Gazas recovery and reconstruction. The Commission is currently evaluating options, given the rapidly evolving situation on the ground.
Honourable Members,
Let me assure you that the EU remains steadfast in its support for the two-state solution.
Providing a clear political horizon for the Palestinians is not just a matter of immediate necessity, but is crucial for the successful implementation of the peace plan.
In this respect, the EU takes forward the work of the Global Alliance, based on its renewed mandate at UNGA, in follow-up to the New York Declaration.
On our side, we will mobilize all relevant Commission tools at our disposal.
And we will start with a first meeting of the Palestine Donor Group back-to-back with the November FAC meeting, jointly with the Palestinian Authority.
The Group will serve a two-fold objective:
a) establish a platform for the Palestine Authority to present the implementation of its reforms agenda and attract more donors and regional partners. And
b) coordinate efforts for Gazas recovery and reconstruction, once conditions allow.
In conclusion, the Middle East stands at a critical juncture.
While the recent developments in Gaza offer glimmers of hope, sustained and concerted efforts are required to ensure lasting peace.
Thank you.
