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good morning. News of the beginning: The EU plans a last-ditch emergency response if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán follows through on his threat to revoke all sanctions against Russia at the end of this month, including an 81-year-old law that relies on the Belgian king. A plan is in place.
Today, the EU’s crisis commissioner tells Laura that the EU wants to step up aid to Gaza in response to the uneasy ceasefire, and his colleagues in Brussels will send a contingent from Poland’s fortified eastern border.
emergency access
The EU has announced new aid to Gaza following a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, but it remains unclear whether much-needed supplies will actually arrive, writes Laura Dubois.
Background: Mediators announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday. Details still need to be worked out, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday accused Hamas of breaking parts of the agreement, including the release of the hostages.
EU crisis commissioner Hajja Rabib yesterday called on Israeli authorities to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza “as soon as possible”, adding that she had not yet heard from authorities whether the aid would be able to pass through safely.
“What is important now is what has been long awaited: the release of the hostages and unhindered access to humanitarian aid,” Rabib told reporters. “We need access because we are seeing a dramatic situation where we are seeing signs of starvation.”
Israel has restricted the ability of aid groups to get vital supplies to Gaza, despite repeatedly warning of the devastating situation in which some 85 percent of the strip has been destroyed.
After a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa in Brussels, Rabib said the EU had allocated an additional 120 million euros for shelter, water, sanitation and medical purposes, but was unable to deliver the supplies. said. “We need to make sure we have access to those most in need right now.”
“For many months, we have been calling for unrestricted humanitarian access, the application of international humanitarian rights to which all parties to the conflict agree,” Rahbib said.
She said about 600 trucks were required to enter Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement. “The decision on this ceasefire will be determined based on the implementation status on the ground,” he added.
The Belgian politician also lamented Israel’s ban on UN agencies for Palestinian refugees. “My first hope is that the Israeli authorities reconsider this law or at least postpone its implementation and wait to see how the ceasefire will be implemented,” she said.
Today’s chart: Bling Ring
Yesterday, European stock markets hit their highest in nearly a month, led by major luxury companies such as LVMH and Hermès.
iron curtain
Alice Hancock says a new steel curtain has been lowered along the EU’s eastern border in a bid to thwart the attempts of tens of thousands of migrants forced to cross Belarus into Poland last year. I’m writing.
Background: Warsaw is moving a group of migrants across the border into the EU as Russia’s ally Belarus ramps up pressure on European governments seeking to maintain support for the war in Ukraine. He frequently warns against this. He announced that he would temporarily suspend refugee applications.
Along 186 kilometers of the Polish-Belarusian border in the Podlaskie region, a five-meter-high fence with a half-meter barbed wire on top and monitored by thermal vision cameras is being constructed.
Brigadier General Sławomir Klekotka, commander of the Podlaski border guard division, said the fence is equipped with elements that “could easily collide and fall if someone climbs on it” to prevent people from climbing on it. 2,200 Polish border guards patrol the line, supported by a 6,000-strong army battalion.
According to Colonel Mariusz Ohalski of Polish Military Engineering, the fence will be constructed by adding a secondary line of “physical elements” such as barbed wire and concrete “hedgehogs” (heavy anti-tank bollards) and mines. It is said that it is also being developed as a defensive “shield”. board.
He acknowledged that this is “part” of the new Iron Curtain.
The total cost of the Eastern Shield defense project will be more than 2.3 billion euros. Poland has so far paid the costs, but Warsaw has asked the EU for funding, Okalski said.
Polish authorities said very few people attempted to cross the border yesterday in the dark and snowy January conditions, but at peak times the number could reach around 550 per day.
Poland’s border guards showed reporters drone footage of Belarusian officials directing migrants over rocks and wetlands into Poland. The Border Patrol said casualties from the trip were reduced thanks to search and rescue operations.
With Belarus’ elections due next week, security officials are on high alert over the increase in arrivals.
what will you see today
Ursula von der Leyen and other members of the centre-right European People’s Party meet in Berlin.
French President Emmanuel Macron visits Lebanon.
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