EU welcomes opening of Rafah border crossing and safe passage of EU citizens

Since 7 October, civilians have borne the brunt of the violence unleashed by Hamas’ terrorist attack and Israel’s response. I welcome the opening for EU citizens to leave the Gaza Strip for safety. The EU stands ready to help repatriate European citizens, as well as to evacuate Palestinian patients through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. At the same time, I call on all involved to ensure safe and unrestricted humanitarian aid at scale needed for all civilians that continue to be trapped in the Gaza Strip.

Commissioner Janez Lenarčič

Background

The EU has tripled its humanitarian assistance to Gaza to €78 million, aiming to enable our partners to continue their invaluable humanitarian work.

The European Council Conclusions, adopted on 26 October, called for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.

The EU has launched a Humanitarian Air Bridge operation in aid to the people affected by the crisis, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian cargo supplied by partners.

Since 16 October, 6 flights carrying over 263 tonnes of aid reached Egypt. The operations aim to facilitate the prepositioning of aid in support of fast delivery of assistance to people in need in Gaza.

Furthermore, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to offer support for repatriation flights from Israel.