EU welcomes Gaza ceasefire

The European Union Sunday welcomed the announced ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which should bring an end to the violence in and around Gaza.

“The EU commends Egypt for facilitating the agreement, and the United Nations for its positive role in this context,” said EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Nabila Massrali, in a statement.

The statement said the EU “deeply deplored the loss of civilian lives over the past days, including children, killed and injured in the Gaza Strip and in Israel.” It is now crucial to consolidate the ceasefire and to reopen the crossings to allow especially humanitarian assistance and fuel, as well as workers, to enter and exit Gaza, it stressed.

The EU stands ready to work with all of its partners to bring relief, assist in achieving calm for both Israelis and Palestinians and restore a political horizon, it said.

The 27-member bloc reiterated its call for all parties to work towards de-escalation, in line with undertakings made in Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh.

Source: Kuwait News Agency