Israel needs to respect international humanitarian law when it comes to defending itself on the ground during the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said.
« On the ground Israel has the right to defend (itself) — certainly it has (the right), but it (the right) has to be implemented according to the principles of international humanitarian law, » the EU top diplomat said during the EU-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Joint Council meeting held in Oman’s capital Muscat on Tuesday.
Borrell called for « the release of hostages, » and « access to food, water, medicines, which is also according to international humanitarian law, » according to a press release from the EU diplomatic service.
Borrell also condemned the surprise attack launched on Saturday by Hamas, which has killed about 1,200 in Israel, according to Israel’s state-owned Kan TV. In retaliation, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip and killed 900 people and injured 4,250, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
« We reiterated our commitment to a two-state solution because it is the only solution. We don’t know any other (way), » Borrell said, quoting from the Council’s joint declaration.
