European Council President Antonio Costa announced on the social network “Ex” (X) that he met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the extraordinary Arab summit on Gaza, which will take place today in Cairo.
"The European Union supports the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda. It must play a decisive role in Gaza after the end of the war," Costa wrote. He called on all parties to make efforts to respect the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian movement "Hamas" and to engage with the mediators for the negotiations on the second phase of the deal.
"Humanitarian aid must be delivered immediately, safely and unhindered to Gaza," the President of the European Council also stated.
On 2 March, Israel announced that it was suspending all humanitarian aid access to the enclave and warned that there would be "further consequences" if "Hamas" did not accept the US plan to extend the ceasefire. "There will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Antonio Costa will participate on behalf of the EU in the meeting of Arab leaders, which will focus on plans for the safe return of Palestinian citizens to their homes, the reconstruction of Gaza and its future governance in the context of the ceasefire negotiations between "Hamas" and Israel, the EU Delegation in Cairo informed. He will reaffirm the Union's commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution in accordance with UN resolutions.
"We will support efforts for the early reconstruction of Gaza as an essential part of a future Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions and international law," Costa said before leaving for Cairo. He will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with regional leaders.