Leaders of the European Union's 27 member states on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and said talks would continue on a report assessing Israel’s adherence to its agreement with the bloc, which said Tel Aviv’s conduct in Gaza does not align with the human rights principles underpinning its partnership with the EU.
"The European Council calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, leading to a permanent end to hostilities," the leaders said in written conclusions after a discussion on the Middle East in Brussels.
The EU's diplomatic service said last week there were indications that Israel had breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc.
"The European Council takes note of the report on Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and invites the Council to continue discussions on a follow-up, as appropriate, in July 2025, taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground," the leaders wrote.
EU renews mandates of civilian missions in Palestinian territories
