European Union condemns Hamas’ use of “human shields” in war against Israel

Originally published in Worthy News.

All 27 European Union member states have signed a joint resolution condemning the Hamas Palestinian terror group for using hospitals and civilians in the Gaza Strip as “human shields” in its war against Israel, the Associated Press reports. Israel has long asserted that Hamas terrorists embed themselves and their weaponry within civilian areas as a deterrent, knowing that, unlike them, Israeli forces seek to avoid civilian casualties in both airstrikes and ground operations.

While its statement does not call for a ceasefire, the EU has called for “maximum restraint in targeting in order to avoid human casualties” and “for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors, including through increased capacity at border crossings and through a dedicated maritime route, so that humanitarian aid can safely reach the population of Gaza.”

The member states further “call on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It is crucial that the International Committee of the Red Cross is granted access to the hostages”, Most notably, the resolution reads that “the EU condemns the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas”.

In a statement, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said that “Hamas is unfortunately using civilian infrastructure and civilians as shields against the Israel Defense Forces. So the situation (is) absolutely not black and white,” AP reports.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said separately that she understood the calls for a ceasefire, but that fundamental questions remain unanswered. “For example, how can the demand for a ceasefire, acutely, and now in this terrible situation guarantee that Israel’s security is assured? What happens with the 200 hostages, and who negotiates it in a situation where negotiations barely seem possible?” Baerbock asked.

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