The European Union has condemned the refusal of the terrorist group Hamas to accept the extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza (see EUROPE B13566A5). On Sunday 2 March, a spokesman for the European External Action Service called for a rapid resumption of negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire.
“A permanent ceasefire would contribute to the release of all remaining Israeli hostages while ensuring the necessary conditions for recovery and reconstruction...