European Union leaders are holding a meeting today, Tuesday, aimed at achieving a unified approach to the crisis following Hamas's attack on Israel, after days of confusion and mixed messages. In an emergency video conference at 15:30 GMT, the European Council, which includes the leaders of the 27 EU member states, will also discuss the potential serious repercussions the crisis may have on the continent.
Although the EU and its member states unanimously condemned the Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,300 people in Israel, they have differed in other statements and political signals. This divergence reflects longstanding divisions within the EU regarding the Middle East and highlights the EU's limited influence in the region. It also undermines calls for the EU to be treated as a key geopolitical player.
Today’s scheduled virtual summit is an effort by the leaders of the bloc to regain initiative in dealing with the crisis, following some leaders' discontent with the approach of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
**Potential Repercussions**
European Council President Charles Michel, in his message inviting leaders to participate in the meeting, stated, "It is extremely important for the European Council to determine our common position and outline a clear and unified course of action that reflects the complexity of the current situation."
The Commission caused confusion last week when a member announced on social media that all EU development aid to the Palestinians had been frozen, a declaration that was later retracted. Additionally, some officials and lawmakers criticized von der Leyen, who visited Israel on Friday, for failing to state that the EU expects Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law in its response to the attack, as other EU leaders have done.
Leaders are focusing their meeting on attempts to mitigate the potential fallout from the crisis amid widespread expectations of an impending Israeli ground assault on Gaza. Israel has imposed a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip and is conducting unprecedented airstrikes. According to Hamas authorities, at least 2,750 people have died in the Gaza Strip. Officials suggest that EU leaders are likely to task ministers with conducting a thorough study of the potential risks.
