Josep Borrell
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that all EU countries except Hungary have endorsed a call for an immediate humanitarian pause in the Gaza war.
The European Union has struggled to respond to Israel’s military incursion following Hamas’ October 7 strike.
However, Borrell stated that foreign ministers from 26 countries had agreed on a statement calling for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire.
The EU members also renewed their calls for Israel not to launch an assault on Rafah, Gaza’s major shelter zone.
Hungary is a firm supporter of Israel and has frequently declined to agree with EU statements perceived as unfavorable to the country.
Other EU countries, like as Germany, have previously been hesitant to call for an immediate halt to Israel’s operations. It does not want to be viewed as supporting any step that might impair Israel’s right to self-defense.
The war began on October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented onslaught that killed around 1,160 persons in southern Israel.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza has killed over 29,000 Palestinians, the majority of them are women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
About 250 hostages were taken by Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by the US, the EU, and other governments. Of those, 130 are still in Gaza, with 30 of them, according to Israel, believed to be dead.
Israel has said that unless Hamas releases all hostages, it will continue its offensive, especially in Rafah, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
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