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EU leaders sighed in relief on Friday as Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire, ending the 11-day conflagration that left hundreds dead.
Across Europe, leaders called the move an important — albeit preliminary — step toward stability in the region, which has been shaken by rocket fire and air raids for days.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the truce and urged “both sides to consolidate it and stabilise the situation in the long term.”
European Council President Charles Michel had similar words, tweeting: “Welcome announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ending the 11-day conflict. Opportunity for peace and security for citizens must be seized.”
The violence erupted last week after days of rising tensions fueled by disputes over the threatened evictions of Palestinians from a neighborhood in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers, as well as heavy-handed Israeli police actions around the Al-Aqsa mosque. Hamas seized upon these incidents to launch a barrage of rockets at Israeli cities; Israel responded with heavy bombing of the Gaza strip.
Overall, 232 Palestinians, many of them civilians, were killed in the bombings according to figures from the local ministry of Health. 12 people, including civilians, have died in Israel from Hamas bombings.
“The people in this already volatile region have earned a life of peace and security,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said. Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Sophie Wilmès called the truce a “first but important step.”
Sven Koopmans, the EU’s special representative for the Middle East peace process, said in a tweet: “The cease-fire is a very important step in halting further deaths, suffering and insecurity. I mourn all the tragic losses and thank the mediators. Let us now revitalize the peace process and work together on a political solution that brings lasting peace and security for all.”
In the U.K., Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab used similar language, calling the deal “an important step.” U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called on regional leaders to go furthers.
“Leaders in the region must now work to find a durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that prevents terrorism, ends the cycle of violence and delivers a sustainable and just peace,” he tweeted.
In a roughly four-minute speech from the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden commended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for concluding “the current hostilities.” He emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself, offering “full support” to Netanyahu to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
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