Aysu Bicer
22 March 2024•Update: 22 March 2024
LONDON
European Union leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen issued a resolute call Thursday for immediate humanitarian action and reiterated the EU's support for a two-state solution in the ongoing Gaza crisis at a joint press conference.
Their statements come after the first day of the European Council in Brussels.
Michel emphasized the gravity of the situation, cautioning against any Israeli ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
"Imagine what would be the consequences if such an operation were launched," he said, underlining the potential dire humanitarian fallout of such a move.
He reiterated the EU's stance on international law, particularly condemning illegal Israeli settlements and advocating for the resumption of the political process.
Echoing his sentiments, von der Leyen stressed the urgent need for a humanitarian pause leading to a sustained cease-fire.
"Gaza is on the verge of famine, a catastrophic humanitarian situation," she emphasized.
The European Council, she announced, had unanimously endorsed measures for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza, with a specific endorsement of a maritime corridor from Cyprus to bolster assistance efforts.
The leaders jointly called for the unconditional release of hostages and the provision of essential humanitarian aid to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the people of Gaza.
They emphasized the necessity of 500 trucks or equivalent entering Gaza daily via all available routes, including land, air and sea.
They also reiterated the EU's steadfast commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace firmly rooted in a two-state solution.
"We urge the Israeli government not to undertake a ground operation in Rafah," von der Leyen stated unequivocally.
Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.
Nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and nearly 74,200 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.
The Israeli war, now in its 167th day, has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in January issued an interim ruling ordering Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
