EU leaders to hold summit on Israel-Hamas war
The leaders of the 27 European Union countries will hold a summit by videoconference on Tuesday, October 17, to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and the Hamas militant group, according to AFP and Agerpres.
“It is of the utmost importance that, in accordance with our treaties and values, the European Council should define our common position and establish a clear and unified line of conduct that reflects the complexity of the current situation,” European Council President Charles Michel said in a statement released on Saturday.
The videoconference is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 17:30 CET (15:30 GMT).
“We are fully in solidarity with the Israeli people and the victims of the terrorist attacks. Israel has the right to defend itself in full respect of international law, in particular international humanitarian law. (…) The tragic scenes that are unfolding in the Gaza Strip due to the siege and lack of access to basic needs, combined with the destruction caused by the heavy bombardments, are a wake-up call for the international community,” the Belgian official said.
The President of the European Council, who also called for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas, stressed that the conflict “has numerous consequences, including for the European Union.”
“The Union must make efforts to provide humanitarian aid and to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the region and any violation of humanitarian law,” he urged.
Charles Michel highlighted the importance of seeking a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
It is worth noting that Israel continued to call on Palestinians on Saturday to evacuate the north of the Gaza Strip, giving them a little more time before a possible ground offensive, one week after the unprecedented attack by Hamas, which triggered the war.
At least 1,300 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7, according to Israeli authorities, who have said they have identified at least 120 hostages in the hands of the Palestinian Islamist movement.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
