EU leaders of 27 member states met in Brussels on October 26 to discuss the possibility of issuing a collective plea for a “humanitarian pause” to facilitate the entry of essential aid into the Gaza Strip.
“The European Council expresses its gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including a humanitarian pause,” read the latest version of the draft summit’s conclusions, seen by Euronews.
Although more than 50 trucks carrying assistance have entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since Saturday, this pace is considered inadequate by the EU, the US, and the UN. A critical concern centers on the lack of fuel for generators that power crucial facilities such as hospitals, bakeries, and desalination plants for water.
The situation in Gaza has grown increasingly dire after over two weeks of Israeli retaliatory strikes following deadly attacks by Hamas in early October.
The Gaza Health Ministry, administered by Hamas, reports that approximately 6,500 Palestinians have perished since the start of the conflict, including at least 2,000 children. Israeli authorities claim that Hamas has killed over 1,400 of its citizens, with more than 200 held hostage in Gaza.
EU leaders hoped that a “humanitarian pause” will expedite the flow of emergency aid, including food, water, medical care, and fuel, into the densely populated and economically deprived Gaza Strip.
Prior to the meeting, diplomats discussed alternative terms such as a “humanitarian window” and a “humanitarian ceasefire.” Some countries, like Germany and Austria, considered “ceasefire” too drastic, favoring a more nuanced approach.
Regardless of the final wording, the joint appeal from Brussels is unlikely to be heeded on the ground by either Israel or Hamas. Nonetheless, it aims to strengthen the EU’s unified stance on the ongoing conflict.
Leaders also called upon Hamas to release all hostages unconditionally and caution regional actors against escalating the violence, indirectly referring to the possible involvement of Hezbollah and Iran in the conflict.
Death toll in Gaza rises above 6500
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 6,500 as a result of Israel’s ongoing military campaign. Hospitals in the region have been forced to close, and the health system is in crisis.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, there have been 17,439 injuries from Israel’s air and artillery strikes, primarily affecting women and children.
Among the casualties, 2,704 children have lost their lives. Additionally, 700 people were reported killed in a 24-hour period from Tuesday to Wednesday, with 300 of them being children. The situation is exacerbated by Israel’s siege, which restricts the movement of fuel and medical supplies into the enclave.
US supports call for humanitarian pause
The Biden administration is also advocating for humanitarian pause to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and is encouraging Israel to temporarily halt its military offensive against Hamas militants.
There are growing concerns that the continuous heavy bombardment and the siege of the Palestinian enclave are leading to a humanitarian crisis and escalating the risk of a broader conflict.
During a news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President Joe Biden expressed support for Israel but emphasized the need for an escalation in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He called on Israel to take all possible measures to protect innocent civilians and condemned reports of extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank targeting Palestinians.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also publicly acknowledged the need for “humanitarian pauses” to facilitate the delivery of food, water, medicine, and other essential humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
This change in the administration’s stance comes after it previously vetoed a resolution at the U.N. Security Council that called for humanitarian pauses, citing the need for diplomacy to secure aid deliveries.