Lahbib visited Rafah on Friday, situated at the Egyptian border with Gaza, where aid supplies are severely restricted. Her goal was to enter Gaza, but she was unable to do so as Israel did not respond to her request for access as a European Commissioner.
During a press briefing, Lahbib emphasized that the European Union expects the implementation of the October 9, 2025 agreement, which aims to establish a sustainable ceasefire and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access. However, she observed a significant lack of progress on the ground.
Lahbib condemned the breaches of the peace agreement: “Since October 16, an additional 347 Palestinian civilians have died, including at least 67 children—averaging two Palestinian children daily.” She expressed concern over the lack of openings for humanitarian aid, stating, “We are currently in a gray zone. It’s neither war nor peace, and this circumstance prevents the Palestinians from starting the rebuilding process.”
Border crossings often remain shut, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza without essential food, water, medical care, and shelter. Lahbib reported from Rafah that the gate remains closed, describing the situation as unclear: “The rules change daily and seem to depend on the discretion of the border guard.”
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