The European Union is actively working to broker a ceasefire and secure a hostage deal in the ongoing Gaza conflict, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday during a press conference in Cairo.
“A ceasefire has been announced so many times, we are almost there, but not yet. Why? Quite simple: because those waging war have no interest in putting an end to it,” Borrell said, standing alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty. “They are pretending—less and less pretending,” he added, underscoring the complexities of the negotiations.
On Monday, Borrell visited Egypt’s Rafah border crossing and reiterated the EU’s readiness to use its logistical capabilities to help reopen the crossing, a critical point for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. He also held talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The war began after Hamas militants launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel on October 7, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Since then, the Israeli military’s offensive has led to over 40,800 Palestinian deaths, with approximately 92,000 people wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The situation has triggered international efforts to halt the violence and address the humanitarian crisis.
