EU insists Palestinians displaced from Gaza should return home

The EU is set to inform Israel next week that displaced Palestinians should be guaranteed a safe and dignified return to their homes in Gaza and that Europe will contribute to the rebuilding of the war-torn territory, according to a document, The Arab Weekly via Reuters reported on February 18th.

The document presents the draft EU position, stressing both Europe’s commitment to Israel’s security and its stance that “displaced Gazans should be ensured a safe and dignified return to their homes in Gaza‌.”

The EU will outline its position to Israel during talks in Brussels, set to take place on February 24th, as part of the EU-Israel Association Council, which is the first such session since 2022.

The EU has been a key provider of aid to Palestinians, and has said that it “will actively contribute to a coordinated international effort to early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza,” while also urging full humanitarian access.

“The EU deeply deplores the unacceptable number of civilians, especially women and children, who have lost their lives, and the catastrophic humanitarian situation notably caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza, in particular in the North.”

The document added: “The EU strongly opposes all actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution.”

The EU’s stance mirrors that of the Arab nations that opposed President Donald Trump’s proposal to displace Gazans to neighbouring nations.

The Arab Weekly