This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
EU leaders on Friday issued a sharply worded statement on the war in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank, urging Israel to allow full humanitarian access, reverse settlement expansion and comply with international law, while calling for Hamas to be disarmed as part of a wider post-war settlement, Anadolu reports.
In conclusions adopted June 18-19, the European Council said it was “gravely concerned” about the “deteriorating situation” in Gaza, describing a “devastating humanitarian crisis” and demanding immediate, unimpeded aid deliveries “at scale” across the territory.
It called for border crossings to be reopened, including a medical corridor linking Gaza and the West Bank, and said international media should be granted access.
The statement also pressed Israel to allow UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to operate independently and urged compliance with international humanitarian law, stressing that civilian protection “needs to be ensured at all times.”
EU leaders backed the use of alternative supply routes, including the Cyprus maritime corridor, to supplement land access.
On the political track, the European Council reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, describing it as the basis for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in which Israel and Palestine would exist side by side within secure borders. It also welcomed efforts by civil society and referenced an international conference in Paris aimed at supporting peacebuilding.
READ: UNICEF calls Gaza ceasefire ‘deadly illusion’ as 265 Palestinian children killed since October
The conclusions went further on the military and security situation, calling for the “permanent disarmament of Hamas and other non-state armed groups” alongside a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the deployment of a temporary international stabilization force under a wider UN-backed plan.
EU leaders rejected reports that Israel intends to take control over around 70% of Gaza, and expressed concern over limited progress in implementing a ceasefire framework linked to UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
The council also condemned the treatment of detainees intercepted in international waters following the Global Sumud Flotilla incident, and criticized rhetoric from “extremist ministers” accused of inciting abuses.
Tensions in the West Bank featured heavily in the conclusions. The EU denounced settlement expansion, including in the E1 area, calling it unlawful under international law, and warned of “legal and reputational consequences” for companies involved in construction projects there. It also condemned rising settler violence and endorsed further sanctions against extremist settlers and organizations.
The council also criticized Israel’s adoption of a death penalty law as discriminatory and called for its repeal, while signaling that EU institutions would consider additional options if the situation worsens.
READ: Gaza administration committee says reconstruction priorities finalized, ready to begin work
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- 2 Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, violating ceasefire
- Medico: Israel’s white phosphorus and glyphosate point back to Germany’s Bayer group
- Red Ribbons event in London highlights escalating crisis facing Palestinian hostages
- Strait of Hormuz ‘closed to all vessels’ over Israeli, US violations: Iran’s IRGC
- Israeli strikes kill at least 28 in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
- Fresh Israeli attacks kill at least 6 in Gaza amid continued ceasefire violations
- Who, then, will trust Trump
- The wild card: How Netanyahu could still wreck Washington’s Iran deal
- EU rejects Israel’s Gaza territory plans, demands immediate crossing access
- Protest in West Bank over illegal settler outpost as Israeli forces intervene and detain protesters
- US stands with Lebanon, backs its ‘security and stability,’ Marco Rubio tells Lebanese president
- US intelligence warns Israel could undermine Iran peace deal: Report
- RSF drone strike kills 9 civilians in North Darfur: Report
- President Erdogan says Turkiye ‘leading actor’ in resolving regional crises
- Israel says ceasefire with Hezbollah to hold if group complies, army to remain in southern Lebanon
- The agreement: Beyond the nuclear file to reshaping the region
- Death of new commander puts spotlight back on Israeli battalion linked to killing of Hind Rajab in Gaza
- Trump says US must keep Netanyahu ‘a little bit sane’ on Lebanon
- UNICEF calls Gaza ceasefire ‘deadly illusion’ as 265 Palestinian children killed since October
- Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Mark Pfeifle: Two Protagonists, But Can They Control The Wild Card?
- Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire starting Friday, US official says
- War has diminished Iran, says Trump
- Wake up and ‘smell the reality,’ Trump is your only friend left says Vance
- Did the boomerang war prove Iran’s power to endure?
- Lebanese president condemns latest Israeli attacks, urges ‘comprehensive ceasefire’
- Olmert: Israel is running a state-funded campaign of settler terrorism in West Bank
- Israeli opposition would secure Knesset majority over Netanyahu bloc, poll shows
- Extremist Israeli ministers call for ‘burning’ Lebanon, opening ‘gates of hell’ after soldiers killed
- ‘No one can tell us what to do,’ Israeli defense minister says amid US criticism
- 28 killed as Israel keeps attacking Lebanon despite US-Iran deal coming into force
- Israeli opposition leader warns country’s foreign relations being damaged amid tensions with allies
- 4 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon
- Trump says there are ‘no limits’ to his power after Iran war
- Indonesia needs not only GCC investors, but also bankable green projects
- Iran postponed direct talks with US to protest Israel’s ceasefire violations in Lebanon: Pakistani sources
- Geagea rejects US proposal on Syrian forces entering Lebanon over Hezbollah issue
- Report: Israeli political circles shocked by Vance criticism of Netanyahu ministers
- Iran waives Hormuz transit fees for 60 days, requires advance passage permits
- War strengthens Iranian regime while deepening opposition divisions
- Netanyahu: Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
- Hezbollah lawmaker says Israel has 60 days to withdraw from Lebanon
- Under peace deal, US forces lift blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports
- 8 countries condemn occupier violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank
- 3 more Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza in new ceasefire violation
- When the international community’s absolutes lead to genocide
- Israel orders demolition of 9 Palestinian homes in Hebron amid West Bank escalation
- Paris grants honorary citizenship to Palestinian civilians, journalists
- UAE becomes 1st Arab country to restrict social media use for children under 15
- Iran’s state television says Hormuz passage ‘still requires coordination’ with Tehran
- Gaza administration committee says reconstruction priorities finalized, ready to begin work
