EU leaders agree to call for humanitarian corridors in Gaza

European leaders who have struggled to come up with a common response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the humanitarian response to the Gaza Strip are meeting in Brussels, where they will agree to call for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” in fighting to allow safe deliveries of aid.

A displaced Palestinian, who fled their home amid Israeli strikes, hangs laundry outside tent shelters set up in a UN-run centre in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 26, 2023. AFP - MOHAMMED ABED

In their first in-person meeting since Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel, which prompted retaliatory attacks and a blockade on Gaza, EU leaders are under pressure to show unity.

European countries have had trouble agreeing on anything besides a strong condemnation of the attack.

Some countries have been emphasising their support Israel’s right to self-defence, while others have been more focused on the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Finding the right words

In the lead-up to the summit there was discussion of the terminology of the final statement that calling for a way to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, with some countries disagreeing with the use of the term "ceasefire", and arguing that “humanitarian pause” would limit Israel’s ability to defend itself.

In a compromise, a draft of the text to be approved Thursday calls for “continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses”.

The use of the term “pauses” implies short breaks in fighting rather than a formal ceasefire.

Debate will informed by reports from EU leaders who have recently been on the ground, including French president Emmanuel Macron, who returned from the region late Wednesday.

While the EU’s influence on the conflict is modest, leaders will discuss diplomatic efforts to prevent an escalation into a regional war.

• France to send naval 'support' for Gaza hospitals, following crisis talks in Egypt

Migration crisis concerns

EU officials fear a regional escalation could spark a new migration crisis with a large flow of refugees to Europe.

Debate about migration is expected to focus on agreements with third countries, such as the controversial deal with Tunisia, which may serve as an example for other potential agreements.

• EU seeks to speed up expulsion of unwanted migrants after terror attacks

Also on the agenda is the war in Ukraine.

Developments in the Middle East “require our immediate attention, without distracting us from our continued support to Ukraine," EU Council president Charles Michel said in his invitation letter to the summit.

Support for Ukraine

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video link, and leaders will reaffirm their support.

Leaders will have their first debate on a 50 billion euro, multi-year financial aid package.

While there is broad support for spending more money on Ukraine, it is part of a broader budget that officials hope to conclude by the end of the year, but which is contentious in a context of tight national budgets and different priorities.

(with Reuters)