Immediate cessation of the hostilities, and support for “the efforts of Egypt and other actors to mediate for rapid ceasefire”, was the appeal of the EU foreign ministers who met in Brussels to confront the Gaza crisis and other dossiers. Also “welcomed” during the meeting was Secretary General Ban ki-Moon’s mission to the region.
Grave concern
The Foreign Affairs Council conclusions expressed “grave concern about the situation in Gaza and Israel and deeply regrets the loss of civilian life on both sides. All attacks must end immediately as they cause unjustifiable suffering of innocent civilians”.
Immediate ceasefire
The European Union “strongly condemns the rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip
which Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza must cease immediately”. “Israel”, in underscored, “has the right to protect its population from these kinds of attacks; in doing so it must act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times”. The EU stressed “the need for all sides to fully respect international humanitarian law”.
EU: two State solution
The conclusions stressed that “an immediate cessation of hostilities is in everyone’s interest, particularly at a time of instability in the region. The current situation underlines once more the urgent need to move towards a two-state solution allowing both sides to live side-by-side in peace and security”, and that “The European Union will continue working with all those with influence in theregion to bring this about”.
