Israel must exercise right to self-defense within international law: European Council chief

Israel should exercise its right to self-defense in accordance to international law, the president of the European Council reiterated on Saturday.

"We affirm the importance of protecting civilians and protecting civilian infrastructure, always and everywhere and at all times. And lastly, we affirm Israel's right to defend itself," Charles Michel said, addressing the Cairo Peace Summit in Egypt.

"That right to defend itself must be exercised in line with international law and with international humanitarian law," Michel added.

Underlining the need for efforts "to open up humanitarian access, to ensure that those who are most vulnerable have access to water, electricity, food and medicine," he asserted: "I will say it now: a complete siege violates international law."

Michel also stressed that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict should not be allowed to escalate into a regional conflict.

Also, "every effort" needs to be made to move towards a lasting solution, one that "must be based on the two-state solution," he added.

The Cairo Peace Summit began with international, Arab and UN participation to discuss the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

At least 31 countries and 3 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Cairo Peace Summit, according to the private Cairo News Channel.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Palestinian resistance group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.