At a summit on Thursday, EU leaders urged for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” in Gaza to ensure the safe and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian supplies.
The EU Summit was the first in-person gathering since Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel on 7 October, killing over 1,400 civilians.
EU Statement
Following hours of discussions at the bloc’s summit in Brussels, the European Council released a statement.
The statement reads, “The European Council expresses its gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.”
According to the statement, the EU assured that it would work closely with regional partners to protect citizens, provide aid, and allow access to food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter while ensuring that terrorist organisations do not misuse such assistance.
The EU’s call for Gaza aid comes as resentment intensifies across the Middle East over Israel’s campaign of air attacks and a “complete siege” that has shut off access to food, water, power, and fuel for the strip’s 2.3 million Palestinian civilians.
EU leaders in a meet in Brussels to call for ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza.
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The European Council condemned Hamas for its attack on Israel and said that the “use of civilians as human shields by Hamas is a particularly deplorable atrocity.”
Furthermore, it underlined Israel’s right to self-defence in compliance with international and humanitarian law, and demanded that Hamas release all hostages immediately and without conditions.
As per the statement, the EU is prepared to help revive a political process based on the two-state solution, notably through the Peace Day Effort, welcomes diplomatic peace and security measures, and supports convening an international peace summit soon.
The EU supported UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” as well as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s request for “humanitarian pauses.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, told reporters, “The aid needs to reach Gaza, unhindered and quickly.” In addition to signing a €40 million contract with UN agencies as part of its tripling of humanitarian supplies, she said that the bloc would send two additional aircraft of humanitarian goods to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border on Friday.
EU’s Approach Towards Israel, Palestine
Reports suggest that EU countries’ views on Israel and the Palestinians have long been divided.
Austria, Germany, and Hungary are among the EU’s strongest supporters of Israel. Following the assault, Austrian and German leaders travelled to Israel to express solidarity. Meanwhile, countries like Spain and Ireland often emphasise the situation of Palestinians.
The challenge has been to find a balance between criticising Hamas assaults, supporting Israel’s right to self-defence, and ensuring that civilians on both sides’ rights are safeguarded under international law.
Ursula von der Leyen blamed Hamas for the conflict in Gaza, saying, “It was clear that through its terrorist activities, Hamas is also bringing harm to the Palestinian people. Hamas has provoked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
Despite its minimal political influence, the 27-nation group is the world’s leading assistance provider to Palestinians. This year, it has sent over 78 million euros ($82 million), and since 2000, it has sent over 930 million euros ($982 million).