The European Union (EU) has called on Israel not to launch a ground operation into Rafah and demands an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza.
All 27 European Union countries have been divided on Israel’s war in Gaza. The news that the U.S. will propose a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a cease-fire appeared to move the dial at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, according to Politico.
The EU declaration calls for Hamas’ “unconditional release of all hostages,” but does not make its demand for an end to Israeli military operations dependent on it.
“I think it was very strongly felt, the unity of the message tonight,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said following the summit. “The acknowledgment that Israel has the right to do everything possible that the 7th of October will never happen again, but it also has the duty to do everything possible to protect civilian life.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still pressing on despite international pressure. Netanyahu held a 45-minute call with Republican senators on Wednesday, in which he vowed to press ahead with the Rafah offensive. House Speaker Michael Johnson also said he intends to invite the Israeli leader to address a joint session of Congress.
