EU Diplomat Engages in Talks on Gaza Conflict
Josep Borrell also expresses concern over attacks by Israeli settlers in West Bank
Table of Contents (Show / Hide)
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has been engaged in a series of diplomatic discussions concerning the situation in Gaza, which has been under Israeli attacks since October 7. Over the past two days, Borrell held talks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as announced by the EU diplomatic service.
During these discussions, Borrell emphasized key points discussed at the recent European Council, including the urgent need for humanitarian access and humanitarian pauses to enable essential supplies to reach those in need. The talks also focused on preventing regional spillover, ensuring the protection of all civilians, and the European Council's call for Hamas to release all hostages immediately without any preconditions.
Additionally, Borrell expressed the EU's deep concern about attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. The European official also conveyed his concerns about the dire humanitarian situation and the lack of access to basic goods for hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. He paid tribute to UN staff risking their lives in conflict areas and offered condolences for UNRWA staff killed while on duty.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following the surprise offensive by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a cease-fire, characterizing it as a "surrender" to Hamas. In addition to the rising casualties, an Israeli blockade has severely limited fuel, electricity, and water supplies to the enclave.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and unimpeded humanitarian access to address the urgent needs arising from the crisis in Gaza. Guterres emphasized that the current level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza is inadequate and insufficient to meet the needs of the people in the region, compounding the humanitarian tragedy.
URL :
News ID : 2565
Four die in a plane crash in California
Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll surpasses 50,000
US seeks facts from Israel on Jenin raid that killed Palestinians
Russian envoy: Tension in Kosovo may lead to renewed bloodshed
Yemen’s Houthi rebels attack oil facility in Jeddah
Despite Biden's vows, Yemen starves
Kiss of Ashgabat
Unraveling the Origins of Saudi Arabia and UAE's Differences
Israel-Saudi Normalization: Navigating Complexities for Regional Change
Saudi Arabia's Shifting Alliances and Priorities
