Leaders of Four European Countries Urge EU Council President to Pursue Ceasefire in Gaza

The leaders of Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and Malta have sent a letter to Charles Michel, President of the European Council, calling for discussions on the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza at the upcoming EU meeting. Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach, Pedro Sánchez, the President of Spain, Robert Abela, the Prime Minister of Malta, and Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, described the death toll, destruction, and humanitarian situation resulting from the Gaza war as 'alarming' and, referencing António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General's request for the UN Security Council to urgently address the situation in Gaza, called for 'effective measures' to protect Gaza's 'civilians' and to send humanitarian aid 'without obstruction' to the region. These officials also acknowledged that 'conditions in Gaza can no longer return to pre-October 7 under Hamas control' and proposed holding an international peace conference with the participation of Israel and Hamas 'to implement a two-state solution.' António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, last Wednesday referred the issue of the Gaza situation to the UN Security Council, citing Article 99 of the UN Charter. In response to this decision, the Israeli Foreign Minister stated, 'The UN Secretary-General has now become a danger to world peace.' The UN Security Council met on Friday and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in a resolution, which the United States vetoed, rendering it ineffective. The US and Israel argue that a long-term ceasefire would give Hamas the opportunity to strengthen its offensive capabilities. Hamas and its allied militants killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in attacks on Israel on October 7, and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly, by storming southern Israel. The United States, the UK, the EU, Japan, Australia, and many other countries have classified Hamas and the Islamic Jihad group as terrorist organizations. The fighting in Khan Younis has escalated; a look at the latest developments in the war in Gaza in a report by Masoud Malek. The US expects Israel to use the weapons received in accordance with international laws of war. France, Germany, and Italy have called for increased sanctions against Hamas. Israeli media reports indicate that a 'secret' group has been formed by Netanyahu to review post-war plans. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army stated that 'very clear changes' must be made in the northern borders. Violence between Hezbollah and Israel in border areas has increased. The Israeli army reports signs of Hamas's defeat. Israeli tanks have entered the center of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.