(Brussels) – The EU Foreign Ministers have called for lifting the siege laid by Israel on Gaza Strip, and ending the threat to Israel posed by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
They said in statement issued that “The Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the territory occupied in 1967, and will be part of a future State of Palestine. The situation in the Gaza Strip cannot and must not be seen separately from the broader challenges and developments on the ground that continue to make the prospect of the two-state solution increasingly difficult to attain.” The EU ministers expressed concern about the fragile situation on the ground following the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip, and strongly welcomed the ceasefire, which has been in place since 11 August, and called on all the parties concerned to agree on and abide by a durable ceasefire.
“EU remains concerned about the disastrous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and called for increased efforts to facilitate, in accordance with international humanitarian law, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
The EU said it is prepared to support a possible international mechanism endorsed by the UNSC, including reactivation and possible extension in scope and mandate of its border mission in Rafah, police mission, launch of a training programme for Palestinian Authority customs personnel and police for redeployment in Gaza.
(Courtesy WAM)
