European leaders on Monday marked the primary anniversary of the continued genocide in Gaza by Israeli forces, calling for a cease-fire and the discharge of hostages.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for the unconditional release of all hostages, and an end to the conflict,” the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in a press release.
“We support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement,” she pressured.
“One year on, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling,” she mentioned, including that the EU “will keep doing its utmost to mobilize financial assistance and facilitate deliveries and distribution of humanitarian aid, to the Palestinian people, and now also in Lebanon.”
She referred to as on all events within the area to “act responsibly, with restraint, and engage to de-escalate the current tensions.”
“We will work in support of all efforts to set the conditions for a durable peace, leading to a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist side-by-side in peace, with security for both,” she mentioned, describing it as “the only viable path forward, to finally end the suffering.”
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, mentioned on X {that a} cease-fire in Gaza and the discharge of all hostages is of “utmost urgency.”
“So are efforts to protect lives on the ground and de-escalate,” he emphasised, including that the continent “stands firmly for peace, and for upholding international law & international humanitarian law worldwide,” Michel added.
– ‘Two-state answer of dwelling aspect by aspect’
Spain has expressed solidarity “towards the families of the hostages who are still being held captive and demands their immediate release.”
“To cease-fire, the release of the hostages, humanitarian access to civilians, and an end to the violence are necessary,” the Spanish authorities mentioned in a press release pressured, reiterating Madrid’s “determination to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.”
“The Government vows to continue to work towards peace in the Middle East and to advance in the implementation of the two-state solution of living side by side, in peace and security, which is the best guarantee of stability for everyone in the region,” it added.
Furthermore, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez paid tribute to all of the victims who misplaced their lives within the struggle.
Those assaults “triggered a spiral of violence” that has led to the deaths of 1000’s of harmless civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon, Sanchez mentioned on X, describing the continued state of affairs within the area as “unbearable.”
“The war must end now,” he urged, including that his nation will proceed to work tirelessly for peace.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer additionally mentioned that collective grief has not diminished or waned a yr on.
“I stand firm in our commitment to bring the hostages home, and we will not give up until they are returned,” Starmer mentioned in a press release. “We must never look the other way in the face of hate,” he added.
“We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict in the Middle East,” he underlined.
Starmer reiterated his name for fast cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon and the removing of all restrictions on humanitarian assist into Gaza.
“We will not falter in our pursuit of peace and on this day of pain and sorrow, we honour those we lost and continue in our determination to return those still held hostage, help those who are suffering, and secure a better future for the Middle East,” he added.
Germany, a staunch ally of Tel Aviv, reiterated its assist for Israel’s safety and its army offensives in opposition to Hamas and Hezbollah.
“We stand by your side. Your security is part of Germany’s reason of state,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned in an op-ed for Bild newspaper.
“Israel has a right to self-defense. Against the violence of Hamas, as well as against the rocket terror of Iran and Hezbollah,” she added.
-‘Too many civilians misplaced their lives’
Separately, the Austrian Foreign Ministry mentioned on X that because the assault by Hamas final October, “Israelis are traumatised by the slaughter, torture and sexual violence of 7 October, hostages are still held captive, Palestinians in Gaza are facing starvation & disease, Too many civilians have lost their lives.”
“This has to stop!” it underlined.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb mentioned on X that there’s a threat of escalation within the Middle East.
“The hostages must be released and access to humanitarian aid ensured. An immediate ceasefire is needed,” he mentioned, including that in the long term, the battle have to be resolved in a sustainable method.
“International law holds the key to a solution that would keep both Palestinians and Israelis safe,” he acknowledged, including: “We must find a solution. There are no more excuses.”
“Is it not possible to view this anniversary in isolation from the justifiable outrage at the death and destruction suffered by ordinary Palestinians in Gaza over the past twelve months,” Stubb mentioned.
Michael Martin, Irish international minister, additional mentioned in a press release.
“Ireland’s position is clear and on the record,” he mentioned. “The violence must stop.”
Calling for an instantaneous cease-fire and a deal for the discharge of hostages, he underlined the necessity for “a massive scaling up of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
Touching on the continued battle in Lebanon, Martin mentioned: “Our thoughts are with the Lebanese people. The level of death, destruction and displacement is shocking and unacceptable.”
“We must act quickly to avoid further regional escalation and urgently revive a political process,” he urged.
“The most effective rejection of terrorism and extremism and the greatest mark of respect to all who have suffered in this conflict is to redouble our efforts now to secure a lasting peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples,” the international minister mentioned.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF, and Amnesty International additionally referred to as for a cease-fire whereas remembering all of the lives misplaced within the final yr in Gaza.
The ICRC reiterated “its calls for the protection of the civilian population, for access to all Palestinian detainees, and for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the baseline principle that civilians must be protected” in addition to the pledge given by the UN Human Rights “to continue to advocate for the rights to peace, security and justice, and for accountability for all victims.”
Amnesty International mentioned that Oct. 7 “marks the start of the Israeli forces’ onslaught in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and triggered an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.”
“Children are not targets. They need a ceasefire now,” UNICEF mentioned on X.
The rocket fireplace got here as Israel continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas assault final yr, regardless of a UN Security Council decision calling for an instantaneous cease-fire.
Nearly 42,000 individuals have since been killed, largely ladies and kids, and over 97,100 others injured, in keeping with native well being authorities.
The Israeli onslaught has displaced virtually your complete inhabitants of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to extreme shortages of meals, clear water, and medication.
Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to achieve a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap settlement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the struggle.
Israel faces a genocide case on the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Source: www.anews.com.tr