European states call for ceasefire in Middle East

Berlin (dpa) – In a dramatic joint statement, Germany, France and the UK have appealed for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. “The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the hostages, their families and the entire region,” reads the statement issued on Saturday: “We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire.” At the same time, the three countries are calling on the Palestinian Hamas group to release all hostages that “they have cruelly detained and persistently refuse to release.”

Germany, France and the UK are also calling on “Israel to restore humanitarian access, including water and electricity, and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law.” They have expressed their deep shock at the attack on a UN building that killed one UN employee and injured several others. “UN personnel and its premises should be protected and never be a target. There must be a full investigation into what happened,” continues the statement.