DaysofPal – Six major European countries, along with the European Union’s top foreign affairs official, issued a joint statement on Thursday urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of Israeli captives.
The statement, signed by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the United Kingdom, alongside EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, followed a high-level security meeting in Rome, the UK Foreign Office reported.
The gathering also included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, with discussions centered on European-Atlantic security and the war in Ukraine. However, the Gaza crisis took center stage in the final communiqué.
In the joint statement, the ministers stressed the urgent need to cease hostilities in Gaza, resume humanitarian operations without delay, and secure the release of all hostages.
“We will strengthen our partnerships in regions that impact our security, to counter instability and foster peace and prosperity—especially in the Mediterranean, Africa, the Western Balkans, the Black Sea, and the Middle East and North Africa,” the statement read.
Later the same day, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza, with 149 countries voting in favor and only 12 opposing.
This diplomatic effort follows an earlier call on May 16, when leaders of seven European nations—Spain, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovenia—urged Israel to negotiate in good faith to end what they called a “genocidal war” against Gaza. These leaders also firmly rejected any plans for forced displacement or demographic change in the Palestinian territory.
Since March 2, 2025, Israel has fully sealed all Gaza crossings, blocking humanitarian aid despite hundreds of trucks stalled at the borders. The closure has deepened Gaza’s famine, pushing the population into catastrophic conditions.
With unwavering U.S. backing, Israel’s assault on Gaza—launched on October 7, 2023—has resulted in over 183,000 Palestinians killed or wounded, the majority being women and children. More than 11,000 remain missing, presumed buried under rubble or detained in unknown locations. The campaign has also caused mass displacement and widespread starvation, drawing growing international condemnation.
Despite these calls for restraint and accountability, pressure is mounting on the EU and its member states to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to halt the atrocities and ensure humanitarian protection for Gaza’s civilian population.
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