EU calls for Gaza ceasefire adherence while commissioner slams Israeli strikes killing over 100, highlighting bloc’s divisions on the conflict.
BRUSSELS: The European Union has called on all parties to respect the Gaza ceasefire amid fresh violence in the Palestinian territory.
European Commission vice president Teresa Ribera sharply criticised Israel’s air strikes in a social media post, stating “We need a chance for peace, not excuses for new strikes.”
Her comments contrasted with the commission’s official position, which avoided direct mention of Israel’s military actions.
Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni reiterated the call for all parties to continue respecting the ceasefire without referencing specific strikes.
“We urge all parties to fully commit to implementing all phases of the plan to end the conflict in Gaza and to refrain from any action that could jeopardise the agreement,” El Anouni added.
He emphasised that “There is no military solution to this conflict,” reflecting the EU’s ongoing diplomatic approach.
The 27-nation bloc remains divided between Israel’s supporters and countries more sympathetic to Palestinians, forcing the EU executive to maintain a delicate balancing act.
Ribera, whose EU portfolio excludes foreign policy, previously broke ranks by calling the Gaza war a “genocide” last month.
Israel stated it targeted dozens of Hamas sites, accusing the group of breaching the October 10 ceasefire by not returning dead hostages’ bodies quickly enough and killing an Israeli soldier.
Gaza’s civil defence agency reported the strikes killed more than 100 people, including at least 35 children.
An AFP tally of medical sources at five Gaza hospitals confirmed the death toll from the deadliest night of bombing since the US-brokered truce began. – AFP
