‘EU’s Gaza policy will not change due to Trump’s plans’

BRUSSELS (AA) – A senior EU official has stated that the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) deployed at the Rafah Border Crossing continues its operations under the cease-fire agreement and will not be affected by US President Donald Trump’s statements.

The official, who wanted to stay anonymous, said that the mission was deployed on January 31 as part of the first phase of the cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, which came into effect on January 19 and is set to last until March 2.

“Our role is basically to monitor the whole process, to ensure that it takes place according to the agreement between the parties,” the official said.

He added that since the mission started with eight personnel on February 1, hundreds of wounded individuals and their escorts have been facilitated to cross into Egypt.

The official also noted that EU personnel are working to build trust between the parties and to support the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.

Asked whether Trump’s statement on taking over Gaza and evacuating its population had affected the EU mission—given the cease-fire was negotiated under Biden—the official said: “President Trump’s configuration have some effects on the ground or not? I would say, no. We are working according to a ceasefire that was negotiated with the US deeply involved in the negotiation. ”

“Now, they are starting to discuss phase two. We will see what will happen with this negotiation, but this (Trump’s) declaration has no impact on the ground for the moment.”

Reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution, the official stated: “Reaction to Trump’s declaration, I think there is absolutely no hesitation. The EU position is very clear on that, on displacement of population, on the fact that Gaza is part of the future Palestinian state.”

EUBAM was initially launched on November 24, 2005, following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. However, the mission was suspended on June 13, 2007, after Hamas won elections.

On Tuesday, Trump had said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would “take over” Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere under an extraordinary redevelopment plan that he claimed could turn the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

The proposal has been condemned by many leaders around the world.