EBN-Through the X platform on Tuesday, Kallas stated, “The European Union expresses its deep regret over the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza and the civilian casualties, including children, resulting from Israeli airstrikes.”
“Israel must cease its military actions and restore the supply of electricity and humanitarian aid to Gaza,” she continued.
“The Palestinians and Israelis have suffered greatly over the past year and a half, and resuming negotiations and moving toward the second phase (of the ceasefire agreement) is the only way forward,” she said.
Kallas, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica, and EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality Haja Lahbib issued a joint statement in which they urged Israel to use restraint.
The statement emphasized the necessity of resuming talks and urged all parties to uphold their duties under international humanitarian law.
He continued, “It is time to break the cycle of violence, and stability is a prerequisite for rapid reconstruction.”
The European Union’s civilian mission on the border has stopped activities since the ceasefire agreement was reached, the statement said, adding that the Rafah border crossing between the stip and Egypt is closed until further notice.
Israel abruptly and aggressively escalated its genocidal crimes against Palestinians at dawn on Tuesday, targeting civilians at the pre-dawn meal and conducting major bombings across most of the Strip, leaving hundreds dead, injured, and missing in a matter of hours.
The Ministry of Health reported that “404 martyrs and more than 562 injured, including very serious cases,” had arrived at hospitals as of 10:00 a.m. GMT, and efforts were still underway to retrieve victims from under the rubble.
Today’s attacks represent the largest violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in January.
In early March 2025, the first 42-day phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between the strip and Israel, which began on January 19, concluded.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is refusing to initiate the second phase of the agreement, seeking to release more Israeli prisoners without fulfilling the commitments of this phase, particularly ending the war of extermination and fully withdrawing from the strip.
In return, Palestine gouvernent affirms its commitment to implementing the agreement, demands that Israel abide by all its provisions, and calls on mediators to immediately begin negotiations for the second phase, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete cessation of hostilities.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in the strip since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 160,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 14,000 missing.
