Israel’s government yesterday faced local protests and calls for a ceasefire from some of its closest European allies after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who were waving a white flag, added to mounting concerns about its conduct in the 10-week-old war in Gaza.
The protesters are calling on the government to renew hostage negotiations with Gaza’s Hamas rulers, whom it has vowed to destroy.
Meanwhile, the concerted push by top European diplomats comes ahead of a visit to Israel today by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is also expected to pressure Israeli leaders to end the war’s most intense phase and transit to a more targeted strategy against Hamas.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The air and ground war has flattened large parts of northern Gaza, killed thousands of civilians and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are packed into crowded shelters and tent camps, surviving off a trickle of humanitarian aid.
About 1.9 million Palestinians — nearly 85 percent of Gaza’s population — have fled their homes.
In a joint article in the Sunday Times, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron and German Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock called for a ceasefire.
“Too many civilians have been killed. The Israeli government should do more to discriminate sufficiently between terrorists and civilians, ensuring its campaign targets Hamas leaders and operatives,” they said.
“Israel will not win this war if its operations destroy the prospect of peaceful coexistence with Palestinians,” they said.
The ceasefire should take place as soon as possible, but also must be “sustainable,” they added.
At a news conference with her Israeli counterpart in Tel Aviv yesterday, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna also pushed for a ceasefire.
“An immediate truce is necessary, allowing progress to be made toward a ceasefire to obtain the release of the hostages, to allow access and the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population of Gaza, and in fact to move toward a humanitarian ceasefire and the beginning of a political solution,” she said.
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