EU foreign policy chief holds talks with regional leaders on Gaza conflict

The EU on Tuesday said the bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has over the past two days engaged in a series of diplomatic discussions concerning the developments in Gaza, which is under Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

Borrell discussed the ongoing escalation with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), according to a statement by the EU diplomatic service.

The press release said Borrell briefed them on the discussions at the recent European Council, recalling the urgency for humanitarian access and humanitarian pauses to allow for vital supplies to reach those in need, the need to avoid regional spill-over, the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians, and the European Council's call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any preconditions.

The talks also focused to the situation in the West Bank, where Borrell expressed the EU's deep concern regarding attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians.

The EU official also spoke to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA, and "expressed his concerns for the dire humanitarian situation and the lack of access to basic goods for hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza."

He also expressed his condolences for the UNRWA staff killed while on duty, and paid tribute to all the UN staff risking their life in conflict areas.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which it started after the surprise offensive by Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas.

Besides the increasing number of casualties, an Israeli blockade has also cut the enclave from fuel, electricity and water supplies.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and for "unimpeded humanitarian access" to "meet the urgent needs created by the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza."

"The level of humanitarian assistance that has been allowed into Gaza up to this point is completely inadequate and not commensurate with the needs of people in Gaza, compounding the humanitarian tragedy," he said.