In his invitation letter to the 27 EU leaders, European Council President Charles Michel wrote : ‘’I expect us to condemn once again in the strongest possible terms Hamas’ brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks against Israel and recognise Israel’s right to defend itself, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. We will also reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.’’

A few days after their extraordinary European Council meeting on the Middle East, European leaders are gathering again in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the situation and in particular te possibility of a ‘’humanitarian pause’’ in the war between Israel and Hamas.

In his invitation letter to the 27 EU leaders, European Council President Charles Michel wrote : ‘’I expect us to condemn once again in the strongest possible terms Hamas’ brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks against Israel and recognise Israel’s right to defend itself, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. We will also reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.’’

He added that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza ‘’continues to be of grave concern. We need to discuss, firstly, how to urgently ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian aid, and access to the most basic needs.’’

He also said that the EU ‘’must engage with partners to avoid a dangerous regional escalation of the conflict.’’

‘’Relaunching the peace process based on the two-state solution is the only way forward,’’ Michel said.

He concluded his letter by calling on the EU leaders to  address the effects of this conflict in the European Union and its ‘’implications for the cohesion of our societies, our security, and migratory movements.’’

Several EU leaders have visited Israel since the 7 October massacres committyed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip which left 1400 Israelis dead and 5,240 injured.  Around 200 Israelis have been kidnapped and are detained in Gaza. .