The EU toughens its approach towards Israel and adds to the pressure for a rapid cessation of hostilities in Gaza with its strongest statement to date on the conflict since the beginning of the war between the Jewish state and the terrorist group Hamas, which It arrives accompanied by warnings against entering Rafah.
“The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause that leads to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages and the arrival of humanitarian assistance,” state the conclusions of the summit held this Thursday in Brussels, which thus go one step further. there than on previous occasions, when the argument was still prevailing that any call in this sense would only favor Hamas.
The adoption of the new common position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict comes after more than five months of conflict and more than 32,000 deaths in the Gaza Strip as a result of the offensive launched by the Israeli army in response to the brutal terrorist attack on September 7. October. The Twenty-Seven declared themselves “shocked” by the “unprecedented loss of civilian lives” and expressed their “deep concern” about the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the strip, the “disproportionate effect” that the war is having “on the civilian population , especially children,” as well as the imminent risk of famine.
“Fast, full and safe access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by all routes is essential to offer the civilian population vital and basic services on the scale they need,” emphasize the Twenty-Seven, who welcome the initiative to open an emergency maritime corridor from Cyprus but they remember that it can only be a “supplement” to land routes, “which continue to be the main way to provide aid at the necessary levels.” It is Israel's responsibility to open these routes, through which 500 trucks should be entering a day, a figure far from those currently authorized, as several European leaders recalled this Friday, also from countries like Holland, traditionally close to the Jewish State.
European leaders urge the Israeli Government “not to launch a ground operation in Rafah, which would only worsen the catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent access to basic services and humanitarian assistance” at a time when there are already “one million Palestinians” who They seek refuge and help, recalls the statement, which reminds Beniamin Netanyahu's executive that the provisional verdict of the International Court of Justice, which orders him to take measures to prevent civilian casualties, is "legally binding."
The declaration was approved last night, after a two-hour debate by European leaders that followed, in turn, a working lunch with the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, which lasted for two hours and half. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had expressed his hope that “a lasting ceasefire” would now be possible. Even the Hungarian delegation, which just a month ago vetoed a declaration by the Twenty-Seven that increased pressure on Israel, this time signed up for the change of message. The change in position of the United States and its resolution in the United Nations Security Council in favor of a ceasefire gave the final push to the new European text, despite the reluctance expressed in recent days from the Czech Republic and Austria , which includes new condemnation of Hamas attacks and the actions of violent settlers in the West Bank.
After tense internal debates, the Twenty-Seven also express their support for the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which has an “essential” role both in Gaza and the region as a whole, the declaration highlights, which clearly supports the body after Israeli accusations about the role of some of its employees in the Hamas terrorist attack. This has been one of the issues that Guterres has discussed in detail with leaders, whom he has briefed on the internal investigation.
Upon his arrival in Brussels, the UN Secretary General put his finger on the issue by confronting the EU with its contradictions. “The basic principle of international humanitarian law is the protection of civilians. We must adhere to those principles both in Ukraine and in Gaza, without double standards,” said Guterres, who behind closed doors conveyed to the Twenty-Seven the Global South's incomprehension with his position.
“European unity has been confirmed on very important issues,” celebrated the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in statements to the press at the end of the first day of the summit, in which the Twenty-seven also committed to “accelerate” their military aid to Ukraine, they declare that “Russia must lose” the war and open the debate on how to finance new defense needs.
“At this critical moment, the EU and its member states will accelerate and intensify the delivery of all necessary military assistance” to Ukraine, from air defense systems to missiles and ammunition, state the conclusions of the summit, held in an atmosphere of urgency. due to the situation on the battlefield and after Vladimir Putin's “special nomination operation” – as the Estonian leader, Kaja Kallas, refers to the Russian presidential elections – suggests military movements.
Several countries have announced new donations of military material to Kyiv and, in parallel, Prague is leading a joint purchase of ammunition that has been located outside the EU that will allow the Ukrainian army to be sent some 300,000 howitzers in June and some 500,000 more at the end of the year. In addition, the Twenty-Seven committed to “strengthen their defensive preparation” and also increase society's preparation for the new security context.
