A few weeks ago we witnessed a rare moment of hope in the Middle East – an important step was made on the path to peace. The European Union welcomes the ongoing implementation of the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump, as well as the outcome of the 13 October 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace.

The European Union calls on all parties to engage constructively and fully implement the agreement without delay, allowing for a permanent end to hostilities. The EU welcomes the release of living hostages, and calls for the release of deceased and return of all the remaining bodies. The EU also calls for unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza, including through the reopening of all crossing points.  We reiterate that Hamas can have no role in Gaza’s future and must never again be a threat to Israel.

The EU stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s stabilisation, recovery, and reconstruction, including the full use of the EU’s CSDP missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. The EU is ready to redeploy its mission EUBAM Rafah at the Rafah Crossing Point between Egypt and Gaza as soon as the crossing will be opened, as part of point 8 of President Trump’s Plan.

The European Union will continue to support the Palestinian Authority, including in its ongoing reform, and in view of its return to Gaza, and also through the Palestine Donor Group. The European Union calls on Israel to release withheld clearance revenues necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the Palestinian Authority and the delivery of essential services to the population. The EU strongly condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements, Israel’s military operation and terrorist attacks against Israel. It calls on Israel to reverse the E1 settlement plan that further undermines the two-state solution.

The European Union continues to stand with the Syrian people and is committed to supporting efforts for a peaceful and inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition.  The EU continues to call on the transitional authorities to ensure an inclusive political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians, from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination. We remain committed to supporting the socio-economic recovery of Syria and the reconstruction of the country. We urge all external actors without exception to fully respect Syria’s unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and condemn any unilateral foreign military actions, presence, and attempts to undermine Syria’s stability and prospects for a peaceful transition.

Finally, the European Union welcomes the efforts of the Lebanese authorities to stabilise the country, restore the monopoly of the state over the holding of weapons, and undertake critical political and financial reforms. We reiterate our call on all parties to fully implement the 26 November 2024 ceasefire agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We reaffirm our strong support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and highlight the essential stabilising role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. The EU stands ready to further step up its support to Lebanon in strengthening national institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese Security Forces.