European Union leaders will call this week for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement (Hamas) to allow humanitarian aid to be safely delivered to Gaza, according to a draft of the EU summit outcomes. The draft conclusions of the summit indicate that "the European Council supports UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the safe passage of humanitarian assistance to those in need."
The draft, which Reuters reviewed, also states: "The EU will work closely with regional partners to protect civilians and support those trying to reach safety or provide assistance, and to facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter. The EU reiterates the need for the immediate release of all hostages without any preconditions."
Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billström emphasized on Monday that EU countries continue to discuss the idea of a humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, "but there are different ways to deliver the urgently needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza."
In remarks to reporters after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Luxembourg, he noted that "discussions are ongoing, but the real question is not about a ceasefire, but about how to deliver aid, which can be done in many different ways." He pointed out that Sweden leans towards a proposal put forth by the United Nations to open a humanitarian corridor.
Earlier on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed his support for a "humanitarian ceasefire," but some foreign ministers within the bloc have expressed reservations about the idea. Leaders of the 27-member bloc will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday for what is known as the European Council, where the situation in the Middle East will be at the top of the agenda.
