"If Israel continues its military operation in Rafah, it will inevitably put a great deal of strain on its relationship with the EU," the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said in a statement. The bloc called on Israel to "immediately halt its military operation in Rafah" as it "further undermines the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and causes further internal displacement, exposure to hunger and human suffering." Some 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are concentrated in and around Rafah, but have been told to leave the area as it is deemed unsafe by the United Nations. While the EU recognises Israel's right to defend itself, it must do so in accordance with international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians, Borrell stressed, urging the Israelis to "refrain from further exacerbating the already dire situation in Gaza" and to reopen the Rafah crossing. Under international humanitarian law, Israel must allow and facilitate the unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance to civilians, the EU recalled. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already made clear Israel's obligation to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in its orders of 26 January and 28 March. In this vein, the EU also condemned Hamas's attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing, which further hampers the delivery of humanitarian aid. The bloc urged all sides to redouble their efforts towards an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip following Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 that left some 1,200 dead on Israeli territory and took more than 200 hostage. The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has so far left more than 35,000 dead, according to the Palestinian territory's authorities. Read Also: EUA informam que 50 camiões entraram na Faixa de Gaza (mas querem mais) (Portuguese version)