The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip today, Monday, to meet with representatives of UN bodies and representatives of international relief agencies operating there.

Borrell said in a press conference that the deployment of a European Union mission to supervise the Rafah crossing is subject to a ceasefire and the approval of the Egyptian and Palestinian authorities.

Borrell stressed that the European Union supports the joint mediation efforts between Qatar, Egypt and the United States to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

He also thanked everyone working at the Rafah crossing, the Red Cross, UNICEF, the European Union, and humanitarian aid.

"There are many people working here to try to help people in Gaza. You know I used to look and see this place through satellite images. I see the Rafah crossing almost every day through satellites," Borrell added during a press conference in front of the Rafah crossing, which was broadcast on Cairo News Channel.

He continued: “I know that there are thousands of trucks waiting to enter for days, weeks and months, and I know that there are yellow and blue ambulances waiting to receive the injured, but it is different when we see from the place itself.”

He pointed out that "the situation in Gaza is tragic and must be resolved through political means," stressing that Israel is deliberately preventing the entry of aid, medicine and food into the Strip.

He continued, "We have to find a political solution and there is no justification for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," adding that the situation in the Gaza Strip is tragic and must be resolved through political means.

He added, "The Gaza Strip is facing a real man-made tragedy. What is happening in the Gaza Strip is horrific and a gross violation of human rights. We will continue to support the Palestinians."

Borrell said: We have submitted a proposal to the European Union to impose sanctions against Israeli ministers for spreading hate speech.

Borrell's visit comes within the framework of following up on current developments in the region and exploring ways of joint cooperation between Egypt and the European Union.

This visit is also part of the European Union's interest in enhancing stability and security in the region, in addition to supporting Egyptian efforts.

The EU's foreign policy chief is due to travel to Lebanon later this week, where fears are growing of a wider conflict between Israel and surrounding countries as the first anniversary of the war in Gaza approaches.