European Union to not call for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict
The European Union (EU) has emphasized that it will not call for a ceasefire in its statement on the Israel-Hamas war. However, they emphasized that the EU stands by Israel and that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.
The European Union (EU) will not call for a ceasefire for the time being, Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said at a press conference.
Stano stated that the reason for this was the continuation of Hamas' attacks on Israel and that Hamas was holding more than 200 hostages in addition to continuing the attacks.
"The Hamas attack on Israel continues. In this situation, the EU's current position is that we stand by Israel and that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks. We emphasize that this must be done within the framework of international humanitarian law," Stano said.
In addition, the EU has not called for a ceasefire and has not yet called for a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
At the EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Monday, the issue of a "humanitarian pause" in the conflict was discussed, but no such call was made.
NO CALL FOR 'HUMANITARIAN BREAK'
The EU has not yet called for a ceasefire, nor has it called for a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
It was reported that some EU countries had reservations about the call for a humanitarian intervention. After the meeting, it was announced that no vote was taken on this issue and only discussions were held. It was stated that detailed discussions on the humanitarian interim call were left to the EU Leaders Summit on October 26-27.
'EU'S SUPPORT CONTINUES'
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that support within the EU for the "humanitarian break" has increased.
Making a statement on social media, Borrell stated that good news came from New York, where a high-level Israeli-Palestinian session was held at the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
"There is growing support within the EU for a humanitarian pause to allow humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza, as discussed at our EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Monday. All civilian lives are of equal value and all must be protected," Borrell said.
WHAT HAPPENED
Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced that they launched a comprehensive attack against Israel called "Al-Aqsa Flood" on the morning of October 7.
While thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, armed groups entered the settlements in the region. The Israeli army also launched an attack on the Gaza Strip with dozens of warplanes.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that 6 thousand 546 people, including 1thousand 873 children and 1023 women, were killed and 14 thousand 245 injured in Israel's attacks on Gaza.
It was reported that 1 thousand 400 Israelis, including 306 soldiers, were killed and 5 thousand132 Israelis were wounded in the attacks from Gaza.
The Israeli army hit Damascus and Aleppo airports. As the Middle East is once again turning into a bloodbath, a deadline has been set for nearly 2 and a half million Palestinians to leave the blockaded Gaza.
In the occupied West Bank, 90 Palestinians were reportedly killed in attacks by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers.
In Israel's attacks on Gaza, 18 journalists were killed.
In the clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border since October 8, 24 Hezbollah members and 4 civilians, one of whom was a journalist, were killed. Three Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian were killed in the attacks organized by Lebanon.
Most recently, Israel attacked the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, killing civilians.
Source: Anadolu Agency
