No calls from EU for cease-fire in Mideast at this stage: Spokesperson

BRUSSELS

There are no calls from the European Union for a cease-fire at this stage in the Mideast conflict, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

The European Commission’s lead spokesperson on foreign affairs, Peter Stano, justified this decision due to the ongoing "attacks" from the Palestinian group Hamas.

Stano reiterated the EU's position and its support for Israel.

"Hamas keeps holding more than 200 hostages, most of them civilians. This is against any international law," he added.

Stano stressed: “Civilians must be protected everywhere regardless of where they are, on which side they are.”

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,900 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water, medicines and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.