Numerous European countries on Tuesday condemned Israel’s renewed war in Gaza, which killed more than 400 people in the enclave, while urging both sides to respect the ceasefire deal.
Here’s what they are saying:
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned Israel’s strikes, noting that they have resulted in “hundreds of civilian deaths.” He called on both Israel and Hamas to respect the ceasefire deal, urging “all sides to step back from the brink of the resumption of an all-out war.”
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that “the civilian casualties from Israeli strikes overnight are appalling,” calling on both parties to “re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we get security for Israelis and Palestinians.”
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said “the agreement between Israel and Hamas is clear: it provides for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. I denounce the new Israeli strikes and their heavy human toll, which threatens these objectives.” Prevot condemned the blocking of humanitarian aid to civilians and called on all parties to implement the second phase of the ceasefire deal.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that he had spoken to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the “latest alarming reports about the war in Gaza,” adding that “it is crucial that all parties respect the ceasefire and the agreement on the release of the hostages.”
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela called Israel’s overnight strikes on Gaza “barbarous,” saying that Malta’s government “strongly condemns” the attacks.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen called for all parties to “respect the ceasefire” and for the release of all remaining hostages. “We expect full protection of civilians and immediate unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid,” she posted to X.
Switzerland’s foreign ministry called for “an immediate return to the ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
Portugal’s foreign ministry called Israel’s strikes on Gaza “deeply alarming,” adding that “all parties must respect the ceasefire agreement and implement its second phase.”
Norway’s foreign minister Espen Barth Eide called the situation a “nightmare” for Palestinian civilians, the hostages, and their families.
Estonia’s foreign ministry said it is “deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict in Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives,” calling on both Israel and Hamas to resume peace negotiations.
Poland’s foreign ministry said it “deplores the renewed hostilities and civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Strip,” urging “all parties to cease fighting and fully implement the ceasefire to enable the release of all hostages and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
Slovenia’s foreign ministry also said it is “deeply concerned about the renewed attacks in Gaza, which have tragically claimed innocent lives,” urging Israel to “cease all military operations immediately, allowing for all hostages to be returned and call for the restoration of full humanitarian access. All parties must return to negotiations leading to a lasting peace and a two-state solution.”
António Costa, president of the European Council, said he is “shocked and saddened by the news coming from Gaza and the many civilian casualties following the Israeli airstrikes.” Costa called for the terms of the ceasefire agreement to be respected, for hostages and detainees to be released, and for humanitarian aid to be resumed into Gaza.