Israel’s attacks on Gaza are creating more and more alarms in the world, including among Israel’s most loyal allies, such as the US or the European Union. The EU has therefore for the first time called for a ceasefire on Israel. At the same time, it calls for the Palestinians to release the hostages without any conditions and for Israel to authorise the entry of humanitarian aid without hindrance.

The EU calls on Israel to take steps to ensure that there is no further displacement of the citizens of Gaza, and not to start the attack on Rafah, for that would “only make the current disaster worse.” According to Charles Michel, President of the European Council, “27 states are terrified by the situation in Gaza and the deaths of civilians.”

According to Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, “what is happening in Gaza is not a humanitarian crisis, but a failure of humanity. It's not an earthquake, it's not a flood; it's a bombardment. The only way to stop this humanitarian crisis is for Israel to respect civilians more and allow more aid to enter.”

Borrell also comments on the subsidies being dealt with by parachutes. “But do you know that one hour from the launch of this aid is an airport? But it's closed." And with the same help you can access from the sea, “We are building a seaport and the port of Ashkelon is there, but closed.” He denounces that Israel has closed borders and that supplies do not reach Gaza.

The conclusions of the European Commission have also underlined the UN’s “essential work” in helping Palestinian refugees. This is curious, given that the most important countries in the EU announced a few weeks ago that this institution would no longer be funded until the Israeli complaint was clarified. Israel reported that 12 UNRWA workers participated in the Hamas attack on 7 October. States such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. However, the EU did not suspend the subsidies.

However, the European Union’s declaration is nothing more than a declaration of a diplomatic nature, and for the time being it has refused to make a word or warning to Israel. The EU’s top leaders continue to act with great temerity to undermine Israel as little as possible, but to express to the European public that they are doing something. “It is important to support Israel – says Council President Michel – but also to ask Israel to respect international order.” Since October Ursula von der Leyen has made very few references to civilians in Gaza. In statements made after this Thursday’s meeting, he noted that “Israel has the right to defend itself, but also the need to protect civilians.”

Also in the Security Council

This Friday the UN Security Council will meet and, at the request of the US, will for the first time call for the immediate suspension of fires in Gaza and the exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas.