Ceasefire in Gaza enters into force, the EU supports its full implementation

Ceasefire in Gaza enters into force, the EU supports its full implementation

In a statement on behalf of the EU on Saturday, Kaja Kallas, High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy, expressed EU’s position for the first time since the announcement of the ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire agreement was supposed to enter into force early on Sunday morning after Hamas was meant to hand over the names of the first three female hostages that are set to be released later today. However, it eventually took effect only at 11h15 local time after a delay by Hamas in the handing over of those names.

Immediately after the announcement on Wednesday evening, Kallas posted on X that she welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement. “This is a major, positive breakthrough towards ending the violence. It is now time to deliver this agreement for all hostages and their families, the people of Gaza, and the people of the region.”

The day before, she met a delegation of families of the hostages. “It was extremely moving to sit down with the families of hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza,” she tweeted. “To not know the fate of your loved ones is unbearable. Every hostage must be released, immediately and unconditionally.”

But it would take a few more days until the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a full statement on the agreement. Asked by The Brussels Times about the delay, her spokesperson, Anouar El Anouni, explained that her tweets are also considered as statements. Furthermore, “In foreign affairs, Member States must be consulted because unanimity is the golden rule.”

EU supports agreement, urges implementation

“We are relieved that the hostages, including several EU nationals, will finally be reunited with their loved ones and that much needed humanitarian aid will reach civilians in Gaza,” the statement says. “It is vital that the deal is fully implemented to allow all the hostages to be released, and to ensure a permanent end to hostilities.”

“Since the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October, 2023, hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been caught up in violence which has spread across the region. The EU deeply deplores the unacceptable number of civilians, especially children, who have lost their lives.”

Within 42 days from the start of the ceasefire, 33 Israeli hostages will gradually be released, women, children, elderly and sick. In exchange, more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners will be freed, including 200 convicted to life sentences for murder. During this first phase, the Israeli army will reduce its forces in the Gaza Strip and withdraw from most of the area.

"After more than 15 months of hiding underground from Israeli attacks, it is likely that senior Hamas officials and their people holding the hostages are having difficulty communicating with each other and are still afraid of their transmissions being intercepted," explained Amos Harel, military correspondent in Haaretz, Israel’s leading independent newspaper.

“This creates delays in the release of information and announcements, but it is difficult to rule out the possibility that the Palestinians are adding psychological warfare to this, while exploiting Israeli sensitivity to the fate of each hostage,” Harel added.

Challenges ahead

The agreement has been welcomed with a deep sense of relief by both sides in the conflict. If it is fully implemented, it will bring about the release of all Israeli hostages, end the suffering of the innocent civilian population in Gaza and result in a permanent cessation of the hostilities, with hope for a better future for all.

Many believe Hamas stands to gain most from the agreement after having its military capabilities heavily degraded during the war, with 20,000 of its operatives killed, according to Israel, its underground network destroyed, and its military infrastructure dismantled. In the absence of a political horizon and an alternative to its rule, it will likely resume its power in Gaza after the withdrawal of the Israeli troops.

The ceasefire enters into force today, Sunday, before the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States on Monday. Trump exerted pressure on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the agreement. In the early hours of Saturday morning, the Israeli government voted overwhelmingly in favour.

Netanyahu has also been pressured by his far-right coalition partners to not accept the agreement or risk the break-up of the government. Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that he has the backing of the incoming Trump administration to resume the war if there is no progress in the talks on the implementation of the second phase of the agreement.

The EU is ready to support the implementation of the ceasefire-hostage deal, among others by deploying a border assistance mission (EUBAM) to supervise the border crossing at Rafah between Gaza and Egypt. Contrary to what Netanyahu said in his speech, Israel is required to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor along the border in the second phase of the deal.

The ceasefire will possibly also speed up the political dialogue between the EU and Israel. The EU-Israel Association Council meeting is expected to take place in February, according to Anitta Hipper, EU’s lead spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. The meeting will be an opportunity for the two parties to discuss the implementation of the agreement and the “day after”.

M. Apelblat

The Brussels Times


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