European Union leaders are debating ways to best use their combined leverage to ensure that more aid reaches Palestinians in need in Gaza. At a summit Thursday, they also want to work together to help EU citizens in peril, including some held hostage by Hamas. EU nations have long been divided in their approach to Israel and the Palestinians.
A man walks past a security checkpoint outside EU headquarters prior to an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. European Union leaders gather Thursday for a two day meeting to discuss, among other issues, Ukraine and the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas. Two people walk past EU headquarters prior to an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
The challenge has been to strike a balance between condemning the Hamas attacks, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and ensuring that the rights of civilians on both sides are protected under international law.Swedish court acquits Russian-born businessman of spying for Moscow A draft of the leaders’ summit statement, seen by The Associated Press, sees them call “for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses.”
Despite its limited political leverage, the 27-nation bloc is the world’s top aid supplier to the Palestinians. It has sent almost 78 million euros this year and over 930 million euros since 2000. The EU has little influence over Israel – the United States is its staunchest ally – but remains the country’s biggest trade partner.
A warning by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, over waning fuel supplies has raised alarm that the humanitarian crisis could quickly worsen. Gaza’s population has also been running out of food, water and medicine. The EU is UNRWA’s third biggest funder.
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