The EU welcomes the fact that, finally, the truce agreed between Israel and Hamas has started today. It should be fully implemented as a first step towards ending the ongoing horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza, and extended for a longer period.

The agreement foresees the release of a group of innocent women and children who had been abducted during Hamas’ horrific attack on 7 October. All hostages should be unconditionally freed. Nobody should bargain with civilian lives.

While the agreement allows for limited access of food, water, medicines, and fuel for besieged Gazans, the EU asserts that humanitarian aid must reach civilians in Gaza without any conditions.  Following Israel’s military operation in Gaza, more than a million people have fled their homes, with nowhere to go. At the same time, the unchecked expansion of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is unacceptable, as expressed by the G7 Foreign Ministers.

The EU has clearly stated that Israel´s right to self-defence should comply with international law, including humanitarian law. The EU deplores the great number of civilian casualties, particularly thousands of children and women. The United Nations and the Prosecutor of the ICC have stated that compliance with international law is not just a moral imperative. The protection of civilians, unimpeded access to basic services, and respect for protected sites such as hospitals and schools are a legal obligation.

One horror cannot justify another horror. The current downward spiral must be reversed, for the sake of both peoples.

The security of Israel cannot be guaranteed by military means alone. For the European Union, the only path toward  sustainable peace, security and prosperity for both Israel and Palestine is the two state solution.

The international community has the duty to engage seriously to make this possible. The Peace Day Effort Initiative that the EU and a number of Arab countries have launched in September at the UN sets initial steps in this direction.

Together with Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, the EU will co-chair a ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona on Monday, 27 November. A diplomatic mission of the Arab League and of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation are invited to participate. The meeting will address the current situation of the conflict and aim at setting out a common approach for lasting peace in the Middle East.