Brussels, 01/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 1 August, the European Union regretted that the 72-hour ceasefire with Hamas had only held for a few hours. “We regret that the ceasefire has not really been put in place”, said Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
Stating that the EU has consistently called for a ceasefire, Kocijancic said that it is “absolutely necessary” for this ceasefire “to be put in place and respected”. She underlined that the most important issue is the end to the loss of civilian lives, and she said that the EU will follow the developments closely.
The Israeli government and Hamas each accuse the other of violating the ceasefire. Less than six hours after the ceasefire entered into force, the Israeli army announced the end to it. Intended to last 72 hours, the ceasefire should have enabled indirect negotiations to start on a sustainable truce. (CG)