Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib has called for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of a Palestinian State – through a two-state solution – ahead of Monday's EU foreign ministers meeting.
"Since 7 October, almost 25,000 people have lost their lives. Gaza is in a state of extreme emergency. There is a risk of famine and epidemics. The violence must stop", said Foreign Minister Lahbib. "The aim is obviously to relaunch the political process. This conflict will not be resolved by arms."
The remarks were said before the "exceptional" Foreign Affairs Council being held in Brussels on Monday, where 27 EU ministers will seek to find a common position to the conflict in Gaza.
Several players from the Middle East are present, including the Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers, who will be received separately by their EU counterparts, including the Belgian Foreign Minister.
Monday's Foreign Affairs Council. Credit: European Council
"The message that I will convey on behalf of Belgium and the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, is clear: we are calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, respect for international law, and a return to the peace process that must lead to the creation of two states living peacefully side by side," Lahbib explained.
"This is the only sustainable way to permanently restore peace in the region," she concluded, before expressing her hope for a peace conference to be organised soon in Brussels.
EU peacemaking efforts
Lahbib's statement follows Friday’s government compromise, which saw Belgium agreeing to send one military vessel to the EU Red Sea mission – to protect maritime trade against Houthi rebel attacks – in exchange for a call for an immediate permanent ceasefire, as well as stepping up efforts for a two-state solution and the creation of a Palestinian State.
The head of EU foreign policy Josep Borrell, who is chairing today's Foreign Affairs Council, has penned a ten-point peace plan, which sees "an independent Palestinian State", "living side by side" with Israel and "full normalisation" of relations between Israel and the Arab world.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state after end of the war in Gaza.
On Monday, the head of EU foreign affairs stressed that Israel cannot build peace "only by military means."
"What other solutions can they think of?" Borrell told journalists in Brussels. "Make all the Palestinians leave? Kill them?" he added.
