Rutte: EU call for a pause in fighting in Gaza makes a difference
According to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Israel will be sensitive to the joint call from the EU countries to pause the fight against Hamas in order to provide humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. He said this on Thursday evening after EU countries reached agreement on it, ANP reports.
On Thursday evening, European government leaders jointly advocated continued, rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, blocked by Israel. ‘Humanitarian corridors’ and breaks should be established to meet humanitarian needs.
According to Rutte, the fact that both the EU and the United States are now insisting on this makes a difference. “I think it does matter,” Rutte said. The combined weight of Europe, the US “and the countries in the region” counts, he thinks. Moreover, according to him, the call to “provide normal Gazans with crucial aid” is also heard in Israel itself.
Whether the supply of aid to Gaza will improve “will have to be seen in the coming days,” Rutte said. According to him, all diplomatic efforts are now focused on that.