For the first time the words ceasefire in Gaza appear in conclusions from the European Council. Six months after Hamas attacks on October 7 and the start of a military response by Israel that has claimed more than 31,000 lives in the Gaza Strip, the EU heads of state and government reached a declaration calling for an immediate humanitarian pause that leads to a lasting ceasefire. The Twenty-Seven’s demand aligns with the United States’ decision to present a Security Council resolution urging an immediate and sustained ceasefire.
“It is a strong and unequivocal statement. Full and safe humanitarian access to Gaza is essential to provide vital aid to civilians in a catastrophic situation in Gaza”, said the president of the European Council, Charles Michel. The last time the 27 leaders agreed on a statement about the Middle East was at the late October summit. Even then, amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, they could only call for temporary pauses after a long, divisive debate about plural or singular wording. Since then, the situation has changed dramatically.
“What is unfolding in Gaza is a failure of humanity. It is not a humanitarian crisis, a quake, or a flood; it is bombardment. The only way to stop this humanitarian crisis is for Israel to respect civilians and allow greater aid into Gaza. People are starving, children are sick because they do not eat. They are dying of hunger”, stated Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, upon arriving at a summit also attended by the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, who spent two and a half hours with European leaders reviewing the situation.
Liberation of Hostages
“The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause that leads to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian assistance”, reads a document reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages without preconditions, and highlighting concern for their welfare. Some elements were crucial for Austria to accept the first mention of a ceasefire.
The summit’s message also delves into the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, the disproportionate impact on civilians, especially children, and the imminent risk of famine due to insufficient aid delivery. “Full, rapid, safe, unobstructed access to Gaza and through the Strip via all routes is essential”, the Twenty-Seven warn, underscoring the essential role of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
The political declaration defends a two-state solution and urges Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not to launch a ground operation in Rafah, the border town with Egypt housing a large displaced population. Such an operation would only worsen the situation and block necessary provisions from reaching those in need.
Containment in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
The declaration also calls for restraint in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, ensures access to holy sites, and condemns extremist settlers who must be held accountable. The European Council exhorts the Council to accelerate work on restrictive measures. In this area, European leaders also condemn the Israeli government’s expansions of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and urge Israel to reconsider these decisions.
“Honestly, the response to the terrible crisis in Palestine has not shown Europe at its best. It has undermined our efforts to defend Ukraine, because many countries in the Global South interpret Europe’s actions regarding Ukraine versus Palestine as a double standard. They are not wrong”, admitted Ireland’s prime minister Leo Varadkar, who announced his resignation on the eve of the summit. Varadkar, alongside prime minister Pedro Sánchez, was among the strongest advocates for a ceasefire.