EU calls for ceasefire
Tuesday’s videoconference by EU foreign ministers on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict did not produce a common position of the 27 member states, with Hungary not agreeing with “the general sense of the discussion” expressed at a press conference in Brussels by ‘ High Representative Josep Borrell. “I am happy – says Borrell – to say that 26 out of 27 states have supported this overall sense of discussion”, given that, being an informal meeting via videoconference, these are not formal conclusions of the Council. The High Representative spoke of “the worst resurgence of violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories since 2014”. “The final text – he adds – reflects the overall meaning”, albeit with the nuances that some have expressed, arguing that “the priority is the immediate cessation of all violence and the implementation of a ceasefire”. The aim – Borrell said – is to protect civilians and give full humanitarian access to Gaza. “The second thing is to consider that the increase in violence in recent days has led to a high number of civilian victims, including women and children, and this is unacceptable. Once again, we condemn the rocket attacks by Hamas, a terrorist group, on Israeli soil. And we fully support – says Borrell – Israel’s right to defend itself, but we also consider this must be done in a proportionate way, respecting international humanitarian law. There was still strong support not to proceed with the evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, in line with the EU positions on the settlements ».
The yellow of the ceasefire
Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening it became known that Egypt would propose, “through private channels”, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas starting at 6 am (local time) next Thursday, according to reports from Israeli TV Channel 12 which cites Palestinian sources. According to this version, Hamas accepted while Israel did not respond. Israeli sources, quoted by the Times of Israel, however, denied that there were “negotiations” with Hamas for a ceasefire. The sources refer to some statements made to the New York Times by a senior Hamas exponent abroad, Moussa Abu Marzuk, according to which the organization is seeking a truce. “Israel has asked – Abu Marzuk said – that Hamas unilaterally stop firing rockets for 2-3 hours before deciding to do the same”. Abu Marzuk added that Hamas will only accept a ceasefire if it is “simultaneous and mutual”.
Biden hard in private with Netanyahu
Meanwhile, pressures on Tel Aviv multiply. In his latest phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden would have sent him a message in private harder than that made publicly known, admonishing him that he could only briefly face the growing pressure of the international community and Congress to demand that Israel change its approach to Hamas. The New York Times writes it citing two people familiar with the interview. The paper also quotes Ilan Goldenberg, a former Obama administration executive who is an expert on the Middle East, as saying “we have a new dynamic with Congress playing the bad cop by asking the president to suspend arms sales and the president playing a good cop. . This can give President Biden more flexibility and influence in the future with Israel, ”he added.