Wednesday, October 11, 2023

EU opposes total siege of Gaza: Israel cutting water, food, electricity to civilians violates international law

EU foreign ministers are urging both sides to respect humanitarian law. “That means no blockage of water, food or electricity to the civil population in Gaza,” said EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell. Read more.

Report from BBC News Live Reporting

By SOFIA BETTIZA

Reporting from Brussels Tue 10 Oct 2023, 19:54 BST - here is a copy in full:


EU foreign policy chief suggests Israel is violating international law


EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell has said the bloc opposes a total siege of Gaza.


“Israel has the right to defend itself, but that needs to be done accordingly with international law, humanitarian law. And some decisions are contrary to international law.”


Borrell spoke after an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers.


“Some actions – like cutting electricity and food for civilians – are against international law,” he said.


EU foreign ministers are urging both sides to respect humanitarian law. “That means no blockage of water, food or electricity to the civil population in Gaza,” said Borrell.


He stressed that the EU considered Hamas a terrorist organisation, but that the Palestinian Authority was a different thing.


“Not all Palestinian people are terrorists. So a collective punishment would be unfair and unproductive. It would be against our interests, and against the interest of peace.”


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