EU-Gulf call for Gaza ceasefire requires ‘practical steps’: Hamas

Palestinian group, Hamas, said Thursday that a call by the EU-Gulf summit for a Gaza ceasefire and opening border crossings requires “practical steps” to oblige Israel to halt its genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave, Anadolu Agency reports.

Following their first summit in Brussels, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council on Wednesday called in a joint statement for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735,

 including an immediate, full, and complete ceasefire, the release of hostages, the exchange of the Palestinian prisoners as well as immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian population

On 10 June, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2735, which backed a three-phase plan, laid out by US President Joe Biden for a Gaza ceasefire.

“The summit’s call to open all Gaza crossings and allow aid in requires practical steps from the participating countries to compel Israel to comply with the international will calling for stopping the genocide in Gaza and implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2735 calling for a ceasefire,” Hamas said in a statement.

It urged countries taking part in the summit “to take practical steps to stop Israel’s violation of international and humanitarian law.”

Hamas said it welcomed UN Resolution 2735 and Biden’s ceasefire proposal.

But (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu continues to obstruct implementation of the resolution and continues his aggression and crimes against Gaza, Lebanon and other neighbouring countries

Flouting Resolution 2735, Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, last October.

Over 42,400 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 99,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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