After a recent escalation in bloodshed in the Gaza Strip, the European Union expressed relief on Monday at the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Peter Stano, issued a statement saying, “The European Union welcomes the announced cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which should bring an end to the hostilities in and around Gaza.”
Also recognized in the statement was Egypt “for playing a vital enabling role in” brokering the agreement, as well as the United Nations, the United States, and Qatar “for giving support.”
The statement reiterated EU condemnation of civilian casualties and called for a “timely and complete investigation” into the violence that resulted in the deaths and injuries of “a number of children and women in the Gaza Strip.”
Stano also emphasized the significance of reinforcing economic cooperation and a political horizon for conversation, calling for a consolidation of the ceasefire and the reopening of crossings to allow the transportation of humanitarian assistance and gasoline to Gaza.
Late Sunday, an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip went into force.
After three days of Israeli bombardment on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of 44 Palestinians and injuries to more than 360 others, a ceasefire was finally agreed upon.
Tensions in the Palestinian territories reached a breaking point, prompting Israeli airplanes to commence airstrikes in the area, citing an “imminent danger of assault” by the Islamic Jihad group.