Borrell says EU supports Biden's Gaza ceasefire plan

The European Union (BE) fully supports the plan presented by US President Joe Biden, which would enable a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and increased humanitarian aid, said bloc Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell in one Declaration.

One A truce plan, declared last week by US President Joe Biden, includes, among other things, the complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza-populated areas, the sending of aid there and the release of hostages from Hamas the Palestinian group declared terrorist organisations by the US and the EU.

“The EU praises the determined efforts of the US, Egypt and Qatar in facilitating negotiations to end the war between Israel and Hamas, simultaneously guaranteeing Israel's security, for which the EU remains fully committed”, the statement said.

An Israeli deputy prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel has accepted it, though, according to him, the plan has shortcomings and still wants work.

Hamas said he welcomes President Beden's initiative, but that he wants guarantees that the offensive will end in Gaza, which, according to him, has left more than 36,000 people killed.

There is a pressing ceasefire urgently needed to ensure the protection of civilians, the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, whose security and well-being is disturbing, and to increase the flow of much needed humanitarian aid to Gaza”, it is said among other things in the statement.

In the end, the EU has urged the parties to accept and fulfill the triphatic proposal, saying that “is willing to contribute to the revival of a political process for a lasting peace, based on two-state resolution, and support a co-ordinated international effort to rebuild Gaza”.

Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, last year, killing over 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

After this attack, war began at Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Tens of hostages taken from this group were released during a ceasefire in November, while others were found dead or alive by Israeli troops.