BRUSSELS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged the European Union leaders to show the same respect for international law in Gaza as they aim to uphold in Ukraine, as hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinians face dire food shortages and looming famine.
Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Guterres emphasized the importance of consistency in respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians. He urged leaders to avoid double standards, emphasizing that the same principles applied to both the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip where Israel has launched a genocide campaign against innocent Palestinians.
“The basic principle of international humanitarian law is the protection of civilians. We must stick to principles in Ukraine as in Gaza without double standards,” Guterres stated, standing alongside EU Council President Charles Michel, who chaired the summit.
The warning comes as the UN food agency cautioned of a looming famine in northern Gaza, while Israel considers launching a ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Despite historical divisions within the 27-nation EU regarding Israel and the Palestinians, there is growing support for calls for a ceasefire as the death toll from Israeli bombardment in Gaza continues to rise.
Irish PM Criticizes EU’s Response to Gaza Crisis
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar criticized the EU’s response to the crisis, describing it as “undermining particularly of our efforts to defend Ukraine” and highlighting concerns about double standards in the bloc’s actions.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that Europe must lead in demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
In a draft statement prepared for the summit, EU leaders expressed lamentation over the loss of civilian lives and the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
The draft also urged the Israeli government to refrain from a ground operation in Rafah, citing potential devastating humanitarian consequences and emphasizing the need for a longer-lasting ceasefire linked to the release of hostages and the handover of the deceased.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who recently visited Israel, reiterated the EU’s stance against a large-scale offensive in Rafah, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell characterized the situation in Gaza as “the failure of humanity,” attributing it to ongoing bombings and emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
