THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL REACHES AN AGREEMENT ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND CALLS FOR HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS AND PAUSES IN GAZA

After hours of work and debate, the European Council reached an agreement ahead of schedule on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and the 27 finally asked Israel to allow humanitarian corridors and pauses in Gaza so that aid can reach the Palestinians. Although the leaders agreed on the urgency of getting humanitarian aid to Gaza, the debate revolved around the humanitarian pause.

In the text of the agreement, the European Council reiterates its condemnation “in the strongest possible terms of Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks throughout Israel.” It adds that “the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas is a particularly deplorable atrocity”.

Through this agreement, the 27 “strongly” insist on Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law. It also calls on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without preconditions.

The adopted text also reiterates the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times and deplores all loss of civilian life.

The European Council expresses its “deepest concern” at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for “rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to be maintained and for aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs”.

Thus, it is assured that the European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, “ensuring that such assistance is not abused by terrorist organizations”.

On the other hand, the member states recall the need to avoid regional escalation and to engage with partners, including the Palestinian Authority.

They also express the European Union’s willingness to contribute to the revival of a political process based on the two-state solution and “welcomes diplomatic peace and security initiatives and supports the early holding of an international peace conference”.

Finally, the European Council underlines the need to fight against the dissemination of disinformation and illegal content, and stresses the legal responsibility of platforms in this context.

This news was originally published in Aquí Europa