EU diplomacy chief calls for a lasting ceasefire to work towards a political solution

The head of European Union (EU) diplomacy, Josep Borrell, called on Monday for an extension of the ceasefire in Gaza, which expires on Tuesday, with the aim of working towards a “political solution” to the conflict .

The ceasefire, an “important first step” according to Borrell, “must be extended to make it sustainable and lasting while a political solution is being worked on,” the EU’s head of diplomacy said at the opening of a meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, ​​a forum bringing together European countries and the Mediterranean.

“A political solution that allows us to break the cycle of violence once and for all”added the Spaniard, who also believed that “there will be no peace or security for Israel without a Palestinian state.”

“Nothing can justify the indiscriminate brutality that Hamas used against civilians on October 7. But one abomination cannot justify another”he said, referring to the Israeli army’s reprisals and the “suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.”

The ceasefire, which came into effect in Gaza on Friday morning, will end at 7am on Tuesday. The agreement that made the ceasefire possible provides for the access of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Egypt, as well as the release of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

A clause in the agreement allows it to be extended to the daily release of ten Hamas hostages in exchange for thirty Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Hamas said in a statement that it aims to “extend the ceasefire beyond four days,” with the aim of “increasing the number of prisoners released.”

Israel began the offensive against the territory after the October 7 Hamas attack, of unprecedented violence and scale since the country’s founding in 1948.

Israeli authorities claim that 1,200 people were killed in the attack by Hamas fighters and that nearly 240 people were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.

The dead include more than 300 soldiers or members of the Israeli security forces.

In Palestinian territory, the target of relentless bombing and a ground offensive since October 27, Israel’s offensive has left 14,854 dead, including 6,150 minors, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. In addition, the Gaza Civil Defense estimates that 7,000 people are missing.