European Parliament President Metsola visits Gaza, underlines support

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visited Gaza on Thursday, marking the first visit by a member of the EU leadership to the coastal strip in more than a decade, according to a statement.

“At this critical moment for the region and the world, I wanted to come here to underline and witness first hand Europe’s critical role in getting humanitarian aid into Gaza,” she said in the statement.

“Europe is ready to step up our engagement and do what we can to help the ceasefire-hostages release deal to hold, to provide a path to increased aid and a building block to a sustainable peace,” Metsola said.

During her visit to the Middle East, Metsola met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. She is also due to hold talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah.

She seeks to gain insights into humanitarian aid deliveries during her two-day visit, the statement said.