French President Emmanuel Macron called Friday for a 'humanitarian truce' in the Hamas-Israel conflict to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip, which is under heavy bombardment, and to expedite the release of hostages.
French President Emmanuel Macron called Friday for a"humanitarian truce" in the Hamas-Israel conflict to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip, which is under heavy bombardment, and to expedite the release of hostages.
On October 7, Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza Strip's border, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 220 hostages in the worst bloodshed in Israel's history. All EU countries strongly condemned Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. But some have objected to the extent of Israel's military response, arguing Palestinian civilians deserve the protection afforded them by international law.Macron, speaking at the end of the two-day summit, said:"A humanitarian truce is useful today to be able to protect those who are on the ground, who have suffered bombings.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz avoided using terms like truce when he spoke to reporters after the summit.But Madrid managed to rally leaders around a plan for an international peace conference that Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez hoped would be held within the next six months.European Council President Charles Michel, who chairs meetings of member state leaders, defended the EU's call for"pauses" and insisted the bloc had a united and"very firm" position.
A key EU measure is a plan, tentatively estimated at 20 billion euros over four years, for a defence fund for Ukraine as part of broader Western security commitments.
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