Meeting at the European Council in Brussels on Thursday 17 October, the twenty-seven Heads of State or Government of the countries of the European Union stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of Israeli hostages and humanitarian access, and called for a lasting end to hostilities.
At the end of two hours of discussions, the leaders reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to support de-escalation efforts in the Middle East and to step up its humanitarian aid,...