EU leaders seek to aid its citizens, Gaza civilians

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders sought to use their combined leverage to ensure that more aid reaches Palestinians in need, and how to help EU citizens in Gaza escape danger, including some held hostage by Hamas.

EU nations have long been divided in their approach to Israel and the Palestinians, but the brutal nature of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which killed more than 1,400 people, and the hardship of civilians in Gaza have shone a bright spotlight on those divisions.

Across the EU spectrum, Austria, Germany and Hungary are among Israel’s top supporters. The leaders of Austria and Germany went to Israel to show solidarity after the assault. Spain and Ireland often focus on the plight of the Palestinians. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, is internationally recognized as a terrorist group.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen laid the blame for the crisis in Gaza squarely on Hamas.

“It was clear that through its terrorist activities, Hamas is also bringing harm to the Palestinian people. Hamas has provoked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” she said.

EU envoys have wrangled in recent days over whether to call for a “humanitarian pause” or “pauses,” or even a “window” in the fighting, to allow aid in. Israel’s strongest backers oppose any language that might be seen to constrain its right to self-defense.

In the end, the leaders called in a summit statement “for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.”

Asked how far Israel can go in destroying Hamas, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “Israel is a democratic state that is led by very humanitarian principles, so one can be sure that the Israeli army will respect the rules that arise from international law in what it does. I have no doubt about that.”

Dozens of European nationals are believed to be among the more than 200 Israelis and foreigners taken hostage by Hamas.

Further afield, the EU wants to help foster peace talks on a future without Hamas. The leaders pledged to “contribute to reviving a political process.”