A European delegation of 20 diplomats began Wednesday a two-day visit to the Gaza Strip to meet Palestinian officials and assess the humanitarian situation.
The EU spokesman in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, indicated that this is the largest European diplomatic delegation to visit the Strip at one time.
The visit aims to allow officials to see firsthand the developments in Gaza, send a political message calling for lifting the inhumane blockade on Gaza, and heal the Palestinian national rift in a way that would allow the Palestinian government to perform its duties in Gaza to the fullest.
Othman confirmed that the delegation would meet with several Palestinian officials, national figures, and citizens to hear their views on the latest developments.
The diplomats intend to visit strawberry farms in Beit Lahia and As-Sudaniya area in northern Gaza and meet with farmers.
They will also visit the water desalination plant in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and the Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing with Israel.
According to Othman, they will hold a news conference at the fishermen's port in the west of Gaza City, who said the situation in the strip is considered a political and humanitarian issue for the EU.
The delegation plans to meet with government officials, according to the spokesman of the Palestinian government, Ibrahim Melhem.
Melhem announced that a ministerial delegation, chaired by Minister of Public Works Muhammad Ziara, would go to Gaza on Thursday to meet with the European delegation.
The spokesman indicated that a meeting would be held between the two delegations, during which the ministers will explain the sector's needs.
The meeting comes within the framework of the preparations made by the Palestinian government to hold a special session to discuss the Gaza Strip, he added.
The session will be devoted to discussing budgets, whether from financiers, Arab and Islamic funds, or the treasury, said the spokesman.
The session will also discuss the development projects that the government has implemented or other projects planned for the future.
