EU summit increases pressure on Israel
The IHC in The Hague ordered a halt to Israel's military offensive in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip in May. In January, the Court also instructed Israel to do everything in its power to prevent actions during its operations against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip that could be linked to a potential "genocide." The IHC is currently examining a lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide.
A group of EU countries, including Spain and Ireland, have been pushing for a tougher stance from the EU towards Israel for months. "I don't believe we are using all the levers available to us as the European Union to exert maximum pressure for an immediate ceasefire," said Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Brussels. The reference to the IHC is also important to him.
On the other hand, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic went too far in demanding recognition of a Palestinian state. The three countries advocated for "certain formulations to be changed so that they actually reflect our position."
In the first draft of a summit declaration, there had been an explicit reference to the recognition of a Palestinian state. This was eventually changed to the demand for a "reliable path to statehood."
Fighters from Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups launched a large-scale attack from the Gaza Strip on Israel on October 7, killing 1194 people, according to Israeli reports. Additionally, 251 people were abducted as hostages in the Gaza Strip.
In response to the large-scale attack, Israel has been militarily active in the Gaza Strip since then. According to the health ministry under Hamas control, which cannot be independently verified, over 37,700 people have been killed as a result.
- At the upcoming EU summit, Ireland and other EU members are expected to call for a stronger response towards Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
- The EU summit declaration might include a demand for a "reliable path to statehood" for Palestine, following Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic's initial proposal for a Palestinian state recognition.
- Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin, at a Summit meeting in Brussels, emphasized the need for the EU to use all its powers to push for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, referencing the International Court of Justice's (IHC) orders.
- Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic walked back their demand for a Palestinian state recognition during the summit drafting, instead advocating for modifications to align with their stance.
- The International Court of Justice in The Hague has been examining a lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide towards Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, resulting in orders for a halt to military operations and measures to prevent potential "genocidal actions."
- The EU summit will follow recent incidents in the Gaza Strip, such as the large-scale attack by Hamas and other militant groups that left over 1,000 people dead and 251 abducted, according to Israeli reports.
- The Gaza Strip has been subject to Israeli military operations since the October 7 attacks, resulting in over 37,700 casualties as per figures from the Hamas-controlled health ministry, though these numbers cannot be independently verified.
