Borrell reiterates his support for Israel to defend itself six months after Hamas attacks

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The head of European diplomacy regrets that civilians “are paying the highest price”

April 8 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, has reiterated his support for Israel and its right to defend itself six months after the attacks by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 7, which left 1,200 dead and 240 hostages, while regretting that civilians “are paying the highest price”, and that is that more than 33,170 Palestinians have already died in Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

“On October 7, the horror of the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel (…) shocked the world and plunged the region into a humanitarian and political tragedy. Six months later, where do we stand? (… “With this indiscriminate attack, Hamas has totally disqualified itself. The Palestinian people cannot be represented by this criminal group. The Israeli people have our deepest sympathy. Israel has the right to defend itself, fully respecting International Humanitarian Law,” he published on his social network account X, formerly Twitter.

Furthermore, he recalled that the EU has “constantly” called for the “unconditional” release of the more than one hundred hostages who are still held hostage by the Palestinian group, and has demanded the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in the Strip.

“In this tragedy, civilians are paying the highest price. The EU has called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a lasting ceasefire and the removal of all obstacles to the entry of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of civilians. in Gaza and prevent them from dying of hunger. Civilians should not be subject to collective punishment,” Borrell added.

The head of European diplomacy has paid tribute to the humanitarian workers who have died in the conflict at the hands of the Israeli Army, who now number more than 200, including workers from UN organizations.

“We once again urge safe access and protection for humanitarian workers. Last week, the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) staff at the hands of the Israel Defense Forces added to the unprecedented toll of almost 200 humanitarian workers,” he added.

Borrell has also highlighted his humanitarian support for the Palestinians through the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Finally, he has called for an “immediate” political transition once the ceasefire and the release of hostages are achieved in order to achieve the establishment of the two-state solution in cooperation with the international community.