Macron, Borrell, von der Leyen join mediators' call for Gaza ceasefire
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Leaders across Europe have officially expressed support for the call for a ceasefire in Gaza, led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
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Palestinians mourn the victims of an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, announcing that France extends its full support to the American, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators currently involved in the indirect negotiations between "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance.
"It is crucial for the people of Gaza, for the hostages, and for the stability of the region, which is at stake today," Macron wrote on X.
The war in Gaza must stop.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 9, 2024
This must be clear to everyone.
It is crucial for the people of Gaza, for the hostages, and for the stability of the region, which is at stake today.
Full support from France to the American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators.
Similarly, Foreign Policy Chief of the European Union Josep Borrell declared that the EU will be joining "Egypt, Qatar & the US in their call for concluding, without delay, the ceasefire & hostages release deal" to end the cycle of "unbearable suffering."
The EU joins Egypt, Qatar & the US in their call for concluding, without delay, the ceasefire & hostages release deal.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 9, 2024
We reiterate our full support to their mediation to put an end to the unbearable cycle of suffering
The deal will also pave the way for regional de-escalation.
On her part, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission president, also expressed on X support for the mediators' efforts, expressing the urgency for a ceasefire to be concluded in Gaza.
We need a ceasefire in Gaza now. That’s the only way to save lives, restore hope for peace, and secure the return of hostages.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 9, 2024
Thus I strongly support the efforts led by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar to help achieve the peace and stability the region needs.
US, Qatar, Egypt call for meeting to reach deal
Earlier, US President Joe Biden, Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi released a joint statement calling on "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas to finalize the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in a meeting set for next week.
The statement came almost a week after the Israeli regime assassinated Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran; the leader of the movement's negotiations team. Additionally, "Israel" targeted a residential building in Beirut, killing five civilians – three women and two children – and a top Hezbollah military leader, Sayyed Fouad Shokor.
"It is time, immediately, to put an end to the long-standing suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, as well as the hostages and their families. It is time to finalize a ceasefire agreement and release the hostages and detainees," the joint statement read.
The three leaders claimed that a framework agreement is ready and that all it needs to be finalized is to agree on implementation details.
"No more time should be wasted, and there should be no excuses by any party for further postponement," they said, adding that they are ready "if necessary" to make a final proposal to close the remaining gaps related to the implementation of the deal "in a way that meets the expectations of all parties."
