European Union leaders under pressure to call for ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza

Pressure is mounting on European heads of state, scheduled to meet in Brussels on Thursday, to call for a “humanitarian pause” in the Gaza Strip as the bloc’s member states remain divided about how to respond to the conflict.

In an apparent sign of sensitivity of the topic, European politicians have told the press, calling for a ceasefire instead of a “humanitarian pause” in a resolution adopted last week would have torpedoed the text, which received 500 out of 545 votes in favour.

“I think we wouldn’t have reached a majority if our amendment on the ceasefire would have been voted,” said MEP Jordi Sole, a Spaniard who negotiated on behalf of Europe’s Greens group on the resolution.

“I think it’s better to have got ‘humanitarian pause’ in the text than nothing.

The resolution focused on the “despicable attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza”.

ALSO READ :  Farmers lament effect of climate change on output

Its lead negotiator, MEP Hilde Vautmans, said she was “personally in favour of a ceasefire”, a call previously made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

“All crossing points need to be reopened, in co-ordination with both Israel and Egypt, to provide the much-needed humanitarian aid and allow those who want to flee to find a safe haven.

CREDITS:  NATIONAL NEWS UK