“The European Council expresses its grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to those in need, using all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and humanitarian breaks” , the statement said.
After five hours of talks on the first day of the EEAS, the leaders of the 27 countries said that the EU “will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate [jiems] to receive food, water, medical aid, fuel and shelter”.
After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, the EU made efforts for unity and influence in the face of the crisis in the Middle East.
The growing bloodshed has captured Europe’s attention at a time when there are growing doubts about whether the West will be able to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
The 27-nation bloc has long been divided between more pro-Palestinian members, such as Ireland and Spain, and staunch supporters of Israel, including Germany and Austria.
A Hamas attack that Israel says killed at least 1,400. people and more than 200 hostages were widely condemned.
But there was less consensus on calls for an end to Israel’s retaliatory bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which the Hamas-controlled territory’s health ministry says has killed more than 7,000 people. people.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip; it has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
“fantasies”
The latest EU call, unlike the United Nations statement, does not mention a ceasefire, although Spain tried to tighten the wording at the last minute.
Germany and other staunch supporters of Israel sought to tone down any wording that could be seen as tying Israel’s hands in the fight against Hamas.
“All fantasies about cease-fires, truces, etc. strengthen Hamas’s determination to continue its actions and continue this terrible terror,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said before the talks.
In a statement, EU leaders said they supported Spain’s proposal to “soon hold an international peace conference” to discuss attempts to find a lasting two-state solution.
Diplomats from some of the bloc’s countries have warned that the delay in finding the right words as the death toll in the Gaza Strip continues is damaging the bloc’s reputation around the world.
“We can feel that some people in the world are taking advantage of these circumstances to try to mobilize part of the international community and attack the European Union,” said Charles Michel, chairman of the European Union.
#EEAS #calls #creation #humanitarian #corridors #breaks #send #aid #Gaza #Strip
