2023-10-26 21:27:00
After a long struggle, the EU countries have reached an agreement: in a joint statement they call for humanitarian breaks and corridors so that aid deliveries can reach Gaza safely. Hamas’ actions are condemned in the strongest possible terms.
The EU states are calling for humanitarian breaks and protected corridors for safe aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is of grave concern, according to the summit declaration of the heads of state and government adopted in Brussels.
In the conflict between the militant Islamist Hamas and Israel, we call for continuous, rapid, safe and unhindered access for aid deliveries. Necessary measures also included “humanitarian corridors and breaks for humanitarian purposes.”
Ensuring aid doesn’t go to Hamas
The European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, the statement added. The aim is to ensure that this aid is not misused by terrorist organizations.
The Israeli government does not yet want to allow the Gaza Strip to continue to be supplied with fuel. She fears that Hamas might get hold of the fuel.
Michel: “Civilians must be protected always and everywhere”
“Civilians must be protected always and everywhere,” said EU Council President Charles Michel, referring to the situation in the Gaza Strip. Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo was even clearer. He strongly condemned Hamas terror. Addressing Israel, he added: “It can never be an excuse for blocking an entire region. It can never be an excuse for blocking humanitarian aid. It can never be an excuse for starving a population.”
There has been a heated dispute in the EU in recent days over demands for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for the Gaza Strip. Countries such as Germany and Austria spoke out once morest the EU publicly joining such calls. They argued that such a move was inappropriate given the ongoing terror of the militant Islamist group Hamas.
“Most countries say this is a wider, continuous attack by Hamas,” he said ARD-Korrespondent Markus Preiß in the daily topics. It is not the case that the attack happened on October 7th and is now over. Israel will continue to be shelled, so it must also have the right to defend itself – this is not possible with a ceasefire, says Preiß, describing the argument.
Scholz: “There is no doubt that Israel will respect international law”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued: “Israel is a democratic state with very humanitarian principles that guide it. One can be sure that the Israeli army will also observe the rules arising from international law in what it does.” I have no doubt regarding that,” said Scholz.
But Scholz also made it clear that the EU summit, which takes place until Friday, should not just fight for words. The EU needs a more extensive diplomatic strategy. It is important that the EU does everything to ensure that the conflict does not escalate throughout the region.
Countries such as Spain and Ireland, on the other hand, called for a humanitarian pause because of the many civilian casualties in Israeli attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip. “I am definitely in favor of a humanitarian pause. Because the images of human suffering in the Gaza Strip are unacceptable,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Time is running out to open the humanitarian corridor “to channel all this humanitarian aid and to have a break to make the work of the NGOs on site possible.”
Hamas attacks are strongly condemned
The use of words such as “humanitarian corridors” and “humanitarian breaks” in the plural in the statement is a compromise and is intended to make it clear that the EU is not calling on Israel to stop fighting the terrorist organization with immediate effect. Countries like Germany definitely want to avoid this impression.
Regarding the actions of the terrorist organization Hamas, the statement said that the European Council strongly condemns Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate attacks throughout Israel. The use of civilians as human shields is a particularly deplorable cruelty. We strongly emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law and humanitarian law. The EU states also assured that they would support efforts for an international peace conference.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has so far not wanted to comment on the EU’s request. In response to a request from the dpa news agency, a spokesman said that they might comment on this on Friday.
With information from Katrin Schmid, ARD studio Brussels
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