Berlin, Paris and London call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Germany, France, and the UK have demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In negotiations for a ceasefire, there should be "no further delay," emphasized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a joint statement. The fighting in the Palestinian territory must end, and the hostages held by the radical Islamic group Hamas for ten months must be released.
The three politicians warned Iran and its allies not to further escalate tensions in the region through attacks. "No country and no nation" would benefit from further escalation in the Middle East, the statement read.
For the first time in months, a new round of negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip is scheduled for Thursday, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar. After the only previous ceasefire in November, during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas had not progressed in the following months.
The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the unprecedented large-scale attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7. According to Israeli reports, 1,198 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage to the Gaza Strip. 111 hostages are reportedly still being held there, with 39 of them officially reported dead. In response to the attack, Israel has been conducting large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip.
According to figures from the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which cannot be independently verified, more than 39,700 people have been killed so far.
The Commission has expressed its concern over the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip and the hostage situation. Following the call for an immediate ceasefire, the Commission urges all parties involved to abide by the negotiated terms.
