AGI – EU leaders have reached an agreement on the conclusions of the EU summit on the crisis in the Middle East. In the conclusions adopted, the European Council expresses its grave concern at the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza Calls for continuous, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including corridors and breaks for humanitarian needs. The European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter, and to ensure that this assistance is not misused by terrorist organizations.
The agreement was reached after a five-hour discussion. The trigger for the tug-of-war was the demand to include a reference to a ceasefire and not just humanitarian pauses.
“The European Council calls for the need to avoid escalation at regional level and to work with partners, including the Palestinian Authority, in this regard. The European Union stands ready to contribute to the revitalization of a political process based on a two-State solution, including through a Day of Commitment to Peace, and welcomes diplomatic initiatives on peace and security and supports the upcoming holding of an international one Peace Conference.” We read this in the chapter on the Middle East in the conclusions of the EU summit.
“The European Council underlines the need to combat the spread of disinformation and illegal content and, in this context, underlines the legal responsibilities of platforms,” the Twenty-Seven added.
The text of the contract
After five hours of heated debate, European Union leaders have agreed to a text of the EU summit conclusions on the Middle East crisis. Below you will find the full text:
The European Council reiterates the statement of its members of October 15, 2023 and reiterates its strong condemnation of Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks throughout Israel. Hamas’s use of civilians as human shields is a particularly deplorable atrocity.
The European Council strongly underlines Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international and humanitarian law. He reiterates his appeal to Hamas to release all hostages immediately and without preconditions.
The European Council reiterates the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Regrets any loss of civilian life.
The European Council reviewed the situation and the follow-up to various areas of action, including concerted efforts to support EU citizens.
The European Council expresses its deepest concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including corridors and humanitarian breaks .
The European Union will work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter, and to ensure that this assistance is not misused by terrorist organizations.
The European Council recalls the need to avoid escalation at regional level and to work with partners, including the Palestinian Authority, in this regard.
The European Union stands ready to contribute to the revival of a political process based on the two-state solution, including through the Day of Commitment to Peace, and welcomes diplomatic initiatives on peace and security and supports the upcoming establishment of an international peace conference .
The European Council underlines the need to combat the spread of disinformation and illegal content and, in this context, underlines the legal responsibilities of platforms.
The twentieth day of hostilities
Israel Defense Forces tanks and infantry hit “numerous terrorist cells.” HamasThe army said that “infrastructure, infrastructure and launch sites for anti-tank missiles” had been built in the Gaza Strip throughout the night Israel. The soldiers left the area and returned to Israeli territory, the Jewish state’s forces confirmed.
In return, “Israeli warplanes have struck more than 250 Hamas targets in the past 24 hours, including “operational command centers, tunnels and rocket launchers in the heart of civilian areas.” In addition, naval forces “attacked a Hamas surface-to-air missile launch site in the Khan Yunis area.”
The Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen, affiliated with HezbollahMeanwhile, reported nightly rocket attacks against American forces at Abu Hajar Airport in the northeast of Syria. On Wednesday evening, Netanyahu reiterated in a televised address that “there will be a ground intervention in Gaza” and that “they are working around the clock on preparations.” The Prime Minister reiterated his order to all civilians in the Gaza Strip to leave the north of the Gaza Strip despite the lack of security conditions to do so.
More than a million Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, are displaced in the south – where there is also constant shelling by Israeli forces – amid a unprecedented humanitarian crisis after the total loss of water, food, medicine, electricity and fuel.
© Jalaa Marey/AFP
Israeli tanks
The highlights (update)
In preparation for the next phases of fighting, the IDF operated in the northern Gaza Strip.
IDF tanks and infantry attacked numerous terrorist cells, infrastructure, and anti-tank missile launch sites.
The soldiers have now left the area and returned to Israeli territory. pic.twitter.com/oMdSDR84rU
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2023
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