A Palestinian girl raises a banner during a march in Rafah demanding an end to the war and an end to the famine (Getty)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the people of Gaza now need an immediate truce leading to a sustainable ceasefire, while a draft statement for an upcoming summit of European Union leaders next week showed a demand for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and urged Israel to refrain from any ground operation in Rafah. .
Von der Leyen explained - in a speech before the General Assembly of the European Parliament - that “the situation in Gaza has reached the point of no return and all methods must be used to reach those in need,” noting that the European Union will have a coordination team in Cyprus to finance and direct the flow of goods to the Strip.
Von der Leyen: The European Union will have a coordination team in Cyprus to direct the flow of goods to Gaza (European)
The European official pointed out that the United States established a floating port in Gaza, saying that “when that sea corridor becomes ready to operate at full capacity, it can ensure continuous and regular communication and a strong flow of aid to the Strip.”
Von der Leyen added, "We have all seen the news about children dying of hunger. We must do everything in our power to stop this. Everyone knows how difficult it is to deliver aid to Gaza, and we must all use all means to reach people in need."
Al Jazeera's correspondent obtained a draft of the final statement of the upcoming European summit, which shows the European Union leaders' demand from Israel for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in preparation for reaching a permanent ceasefire.
It was also stated in the draft statement, which all member states of the Union will have to approve, demanding that Israel refrain from carrying out any ground operation in Rafah, which has become a final refuge for more than a million Palestinians in light of the Israeli bombing that has affected various areas of the Gaza Strip.
For her part, Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib said, "We cannot remain passive regarding Gaza and we need a long-term ceasefire."
The Belgian minister explained that "there is a humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and an imminent threat of famine and children are already dying from malnutrition," stressing the importance of protecting civilians in the Strip in line with international humanitarian law.
This comes in light of the Israeli war on Gaza for the 158th day and continuing on the second day of the month of Ramadan, leaving tens of thousands of victims, including martyrs, wounded and missing, and massive destruction to residential buildings and vital facilities, amid famine prevailing over the besieged Strip with the difficulty and scarcity of aid entering.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies