EU foreign policy chief calls for extension of ceasefire in Middle East war
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has called for an extension of the four-day ceasefire between Israel and the radical Islamic group Hamas. "The pause should be extended to make it sustainable and long-lasting while working towards a political solution," said Borrell on the sidelines of a meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona. Without an extension, the ceasefire will end on Tuesday morning.
"Nothing justifies the indiscriminate brutality with which Hamas acted against civilians on October 7," Borrell emphasized. "But one horror cannot justify another horror."
Israel and Hamas had agreed to a four-day ceasefire mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US, which has so far led to the release of 39 Israeli hostages in exchange for 117 released Palestinian prisoners. Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, confirmed on Sunday that it was prepared to extend the ceasefire by "two to four days" and release further hostages.
Hundreds of fighters from Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the USA and the EU, invaded Israel on 7 October and committed unprecedented atrocities against civilians, including many women and children. According to Israeli reports, 1,200 people were killed and around 240 hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip.
Israel then declared war on the Palestinian organization and launched massive air and ground attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas, which cannot be independently verified, almost 15,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since then.
The EU Ombudsman has expressed concern over the lack of meaningful extension of the ceasefire during the Gaza war, emphasizing the need for a sustainable and long-lasting peace. The potential extension of the ceasefire, as proposed by Hamas, could lead to further releases of hostages, providing a potential avenue for de-escalation in the Middle East war.
Source: www.ntv.de
