Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia war, European Unions leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday. Calling for ‘unity’ on the Israel-Gaza situation, the leaders are considering an amended text on the issue.
"The European Council reiterates the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law. It deplores all loss of civilian life," the text was quoted by The Guardian.
“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,” it added.
Addressing the EU's 27 leaders, European parliament president Roberta Metsola said "there can be no excuses" for Hamas's attack on Israel.
“Just as it is important to understand that Hamas do not represent the legitimate aims of the Palestinian people. They hinder them,” she added.
"As a Parliament we have always and will always keep insisting on respect for international law, that the humanitarian consequences of stopping Hamas must be a priority and that aid must be able to reach the innocent people in need," she said.
"As a Union, we have a responsibility to remain coherent and united. To do this is not to condone more death and violence but to avoid a dangerous regional escalation of the conflict. We must leave even a sliver of possibility that peace can ultimately be found," she added.
Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina stressed that the bloc needs to be united on both Ukraine and the Middle East.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala proposed the leadership to "support Israel as much as possible at European level".
"I will emphasise that we must not forget who is the originator of the terror and who started this war," he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised EU's position on Middle East crisis. "How many more children must die before the EU Commission can call for a ceasefire? How many more tons of bombs must fall on Gaza for the UNSC to take action?” he said.
