Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European leaders reiterated calls for a Gaza ceasefire on the first anniversary of Hamas’s aggression.
The 7 October Hamas attack into southern Israel left more than 1,000 people dead and flashed a year of war which has destroyed much of the Gaza Strip. There has been a reaction from European leaders on the first anniversary of the Hamas raid into Israel, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.
What did Ursula von der Leyen say about Hamas attacks?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the Hamas attacks, which saw 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 others taken hostage, were an instance of “unspeakable savagery” which could not be justified.
“The European Union stands with all the innocent people whose lives have been devastated to the core since that fateful day,” she stated in a statement. She reiterated her call for a ceasefire in the Strip and the unconditional liberation of the Israelis still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
“One year on, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is appalling. The European Union will keep doing its utmost to mobilise financial aid and facilitate deliveries and distribution of humanitarian aid, to the Palestinian people, and now also in Lebanon,” she expressed. “Hamas’ terrorist raids on Israel ignited a spiral of brutality which has brought the entire region to a state of extreme tension and volatility.”
What is Charles Michael’s stance on the ongoing Gaza conflict?
In his remarks, the president of the European Council Charles Michel stated: “One year ago, brutal terrorist aggression by Hamas targeted innocent Israeli civilians and fuelled a spiral of brutality in the Middle East with an unspeakable death toll. A ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages is of utmost urgency. So are steps to protect lives on the ground and de-escalate. Europe stands firmly for peace, and for supporting international law & international humanitarian law worldwide.”
