BRUSSELS — EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday urged the European Union to exert more pressure on both Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking ahead of an EU meeting, Borrell expressed disillusionment with efforts to stop the violence, saying he saw little hope for peace and stressing the need for action from both sides.
Borrell reiterated his stance, proposing to pause EU political dialogue with Israel due to its conduct in Gaza. The proposal requires approval from all 27 EU member states, though it faces opposition. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp argued that the EU should maintain diplomatic engagement with Israel.
The EU official also condemned the humanitarian toll of the conflict, noting that around 44,000 people have been killed, with the vast majority being civilians, including a disproportionate number of children. “The most significant loss of life is among children under nine years old,” Borrell said.
As his tenure winds down next month, Borrell committed to continuing his push for EU support for a Palestinian state, beyond just verbal affirmations, calling for tangible actions to make this goal a reality.
In related developments, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein is heading to Beirut for ceasefire talks between Hezbollah and Israel. U.S. efforts to secure a truce between the two parties follow reports of a positive response from Hezbollah’s Iranian backers, signaling potential steps toward ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, families of U.S. hostages held by Hamas have filed a lawsuit against Iran, accusing Tehran of financially supporting the October 7 attack on Israel. The lawsuit alleges Iran’s ongoing financial backing of Hamas and its role in encouraging groups hostile to Israel.
This news is still developing, with diplomatic and legal efforts continuing on multiple fronts.
