Subscribe here: https://bit.ly/eudebates EU leaders issue call for ‘humanitarian corridors and pauses’ in Gaza after hours of wrangling. EU leaders discussed the unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and the revision of the EU’s long-term budget 2021-2027.
They also discussed how to boost economic growth in the EU, migration and external relations.
EU leaders meet on 26 and 27 October 2023 in Brussels. The meeting is chaired by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council. Over the course of a two-day summit, EU leaders discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU’s long-term budget, the economy, migration and external relations. On the morning of the 27 October, the Euro Summit is held in inclusive format, focusing on the economic and financial situation in the EU.
European Union leaders on Thursday called for “humanitarian corridors and pauses" to ensure aid reaches the besieged Gaza Strip during a summit in Brussels.
In a joint declaration, the 27 leaders expressed their "gravest concern for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza" and called "for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs."
"The aid needs to reach Gaza, unhindered and quickly," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in the early hours of Friday morning. She announced that the bloc would send two more flights of humanitarian cargo to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing on Friday and sign a €40 million contract with UN agencies as part of its tripling of humanitarian aid.
The statement, released shortly before 22:00 CET, came following five hours of debate, where according to one diplomat a "small number" of countries had expressed preference for echoing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for a "humanitarian ceasefire."
EU diplomats had been splitting hairs over the semantics of the call in preparation for the meeting. Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, whose government holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, had led calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, but senior diplomats said countries such as Austria, Germany and Sweden feared such strong language risked undermining the bloc’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence.
Both Sánchez and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said they would prefer a humanitarian ceasefire ahead of the meeting, but that they were willing to compromise on the language. "As prime minister of Spain I would like to see a ceasefire (...) but if we don't have those conditions, at least a humanitarian pause," Sánchez said.
Leaders had a “rich debate” in which there was willingness to find an agreement. "Everyone around the table, all 27 understood how important it is to have the unity and have one text. And we have a compromise that is acceptable to everyone because everyone has different circumstances at home," she said.
The breakthrough comes after what has been described as a disjointed response to the conflict by the EU and its member states.
In a sign the bloc is moving in tandem with the US, President Joe Biden also expressed support for a "humanitarian pause" during a press conference on Wednesday, despite having vetoed a UN resolution including the same wording last week.
Over 50 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since Saturday carrying water, medicine and other supplies. But humanitarian agencies warn this is a drop in the ocean, as an estimated 100 trucks of aid entered the strip on a typical day before the conflict erupted. Fuel is also running dry, meaning water desalination plants and hospitals are at breaking point. Israel has opposed the delivery of fuel into the enclave for fear it can be used by Hamas to prepare for an offensive.
EU leaders said in their joint statement the bloc would "work closely with partners in the region (...) ensuring that such assistance is not abused by terrorist organisations."
In a last-minute agreement struck over dinner, a reference to an “international peace conference” was included in a compromise to Pedro Sánchez, the EU official said. Spain's premier has repeatedly called for such a conference to take place within the next six months, with the objective of recognising two states for Israel and Palestine.
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