EU nations condemn Hamas for what they describe as use of hospitals, civilians as ‘human shields’

BRUSSELS (AP) — The 27 European Union nations have collectively condemned Hamas for what they described as using hospitals and civilians as “human shields” within the battle towards Israel.

EU overseas affairs chief Josep Borrell stated Monday that on the identical time the bloc requested Israel “for maximum restraint and targeting in order to avoid human casualties.”

At a gathering of the bloc’s overseas affairs ministers, Borrell brandished a press release he issued on behalf of the 27 nations as a present of unity following weeks of typically contrasting statements on how the group ought to tackle the Israel-Hamas battle.

“You know how difficult it has been the last times, after the vote in the United Nations, where countries were voted in different ways, to present a completely united approach,” Borrell stated. Only hours after EU leaders professed unity over the Israel-Hamas battle on Oct. 28, the member states had been completely break up in a vote on a General Assembly decision calling for humanitarian truces in Gaza resulting in a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Now, although, the EU nations stated in a press release they be a part of “calls for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors, including through increased capacity at border crossings and through a dedicated maritime route, so that humanitarian aid can safely reach the population of Gaza.”

And they reiterated their “call on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It is crucial that the International Committee of the Red Cross is granted access to the hostages.”

And as a key tenent, it stated that “the EU condemns the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas.”

Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins stated that “Hamas is unfortunately using civilian infrastructure and civilians as shields against the Israeli Defense Forces. So the situation absolutely not black and white.”

He added that “no one in the West is interested in supporting any terrorist organization.”

The nations stopped wanting calling for a cease-fire.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated she understood “the impetus for a cease-fire.” But she stated those that search one should reply questions “for example, how can the demand for a cease-fire, acutely, and now in this terrible situation guarantee that Israel’s security is assured? What happens with the 200 hostages, and who negotiates it in a situation where negotiations barely seem possible?”

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Associated Press author Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.