The European Union Asks Israel To Guarantee Security For The Return Of Refugee Gazans

WHO Gaza/DOK Refugees

JAKARTA - The European Union plans to remind Israel of the obligation of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. Europe will contribute to rebuilding the destroyed territory.

This is in line with Arab positions but contrary to President Donald Trump's goal for the US to take over the destroyed coastal route and rebuild it into the Central East Riviera while Gazans migrate to other countries.

The European Union, which has been the main aid provider for Palestine, will explain its position to Israeli officials in talks in Brussels on February 24 as part of the EU-Israel Association Council, which is the first session since 2022.

Reported by Reuters on Monday, February 17, documents explaining the EU's draft position emphasize Europe's commitment to Israel's security and its view "Gaza refugees must be guaranteed back safely and with dignity to their homes in Gaza".

The EU will actively contribute to coordinated international efforts for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, he said, also calling for full humanitarian access.

The European Union deeply regrets the large number of civilians, especially women and children, who have lost their lives, and the very bad humanitarian situation is mainly due to the lack of aid to Gaza, particularly in the Northern region, the document reads.

Israel launched its attack on Gaza after fighters from the Palestinian militant group Hamas stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and holding more than 250 people hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 48,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. Most of the enclaves were destroyed and most of the 2.3 million residents before the war were forced to flee several times, humanitarian agencies said.

The EU strongly opposes all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, continued the contents of the document, referring to its establishment that Palestine must have an independent homeland with Israel.