The prime minister stressed on Thursday that the European Council had agreed on the “importance of creating conditions for humanitarian access” to the Gaza Strip, with corridors and “humanitarian breaks”, after disagreements over terminology.
“We agreed that Israel has the right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law. There was agreement on the importance of creating conditions for humanitarian access to Gaza, through corridors and humanitarian breaks.”wrote António Costa late Thursday evening on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
The Portuguese Prime Minister added that European leaders support this “the need to protect all citizens and pursue diplomatic initiatives” in the region.
At the #EUCO we discussed the situation in the Middle East. We have agreed on that #Israel has the right to defend himself in accordance with international humanitarian law. There was agreement on the importance of creating conditions for humanitarian access #Gazathrough corridors and humanitarian interruptions. pic.twitter.com/ukjXBWHhkS
– António Costa (@antoniocostapm) October 26, 2023
European Union (EU) heads of state and government agreed on Thursday to call for “pauses for humanitarian purposes” to allow the passage of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, following disagreements over terminology.
“The European Council expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to reach people in need through all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and breaks for humanitarian purposes”refer to the conclusions of the European summit, agreed by EU leaders.
This formulation of “pauses for humanitarian purposes”, agreed between the 27 after approximately six hours of discussions at the European Council, which started on Thursday in Brussels and will last until Friday, comes after the previous version of the draft conclusions excluded the expression “humanitarian measures” contain. pause”, without ever expecting a call for a “ceasefire”.
The call for a humanitarian pause in Gaza received consensus among the leaders of the Member States, but Portugal, for example, had already admitted that it preferred an EU position to defending a humanitarian ceasefire, which was not accepted by countries such as Germany, sources show. Europeans.
At Germany’s request, “humanitarian purposes” were even added, the same sources said.
“The European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, and ensure that this aid is not misused by terrorist organizations .”also indicate the conclusions.
Source: DN
