GAZA:
The UK, France, Germany, and Italy expressed strong support on Saturday for ongoing mediation efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The mediation is being led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the four European nations endorsed the efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages. They noted the constructive progress made so far and welcomed the continuation of technical discussions in the coming days, which include humanitarian provisions and specific arrangements concerning hostages and detainees.
The foreign ministers stressed the importance of senior officials reconvening before the end of the following week to finalise the agreement. They urged all involved parties to remain engaged positively and flexibly in the process, highlighting the need to avoid any actions that could escalate tensions in the region and jeopardise the prospects for peace. They emphasised that the stakes are too high to allow the situation to worsen further.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the October 7 incursion by Hamas, which also claimed 1,200 lives and took around 250 hostages. The blockaded enclave has been devastated, leaving most civilians homeless and facing severe shortages of food and basic necessities. The European countries reiterated their support for the mediation efforts, hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis.
