European Union (EU) foreign ministers today assessed that the creation of a Palestinian state is the only credible way to achieve peace in the Middle East and expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the idea.
"Benjamin Netanyahu's statements are worrying. A Palestinian state will be needed with security guarantees for everyone," French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told reporters in Brussels where EU ministers met to discuss the war in Gaza.
The foreign ministers of Israel, Israel Katz, and Jordan, Ayman Safadi, are in the capital of Belgium today.
Israel takes a different view of Gaza's future than the US and its Arab allies as they try to broker an end to the conflict in the besieged territory.
The death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas has exceeded 25.000, the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is ruled by the Palestinian Islamist organization, announced today.
The EU provides the most aid to the Palestinians, but has little influence over Israel, even though it is the country's largest trading partner.
The 27-nation bloc is also deeply divided over the war, but as the death toll mounts, calls for an end to the conflict are growing louder.
Hadja Labib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, said that in Gaza there is a danger of hunger, of an epidemic and that the violence must stop.
"We demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages, respect for international law and a return to the peace process that must lead to the creation of two states to live in peace next to each other," said Minister Lahbib, marking a two-state solution as "the only way to establish peace in a sustainable way in the region".
Israel, it seems, is far from achieving its goals of destroying Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood and appears to want unlimited military control of Gaza.
The dispute over the future of that territory, which broke out while the war is still ongoing and has no end in sight, has pitted the EU, the US and their Arab allies against Israel and represents a major obstacle to any plan for the post-war governance and reconstruction of Gaza.
The EU invited the foreign ministers of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan and representatives of the Arab League to today's talks. Ministers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority will not meet, however.
European ministers want to hear what other plans Israel might have.
"What other solutions do they have in mind? To force all the Palestinians to leave? To kill them?" said the EU's high representative for foreign policy and security, Josep Borelj, who is chairing the meeting.
Borelj condemned the crimes committed by Hamas during the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7.
Referring to the Israeli military action, he said that "they are sowing evil for generations" and that peace and stability cannot be built by military means alone.
Spain is pushing for a peace conference to discuss what will happen when the conflict is over.
A future meeting in Brussels is under consideration, but it is unclear when it could take place.
The plan is supported by some EU members, but others say it can only happen with Israel's support.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Javier Bethel said that if Israel is not "at the table there is no use in holding peace conferences", and that it is clear to him from recent discussions with Israeli officials that the country will not be ready as long as it believes that Hamas still poses a threat.
Coming to the meeting, Israel's foreign minister refused to answer a question about the possibility of Palestinian statehood.
Holding photos of Israeli hostages, Israel Katz said he had come to seek support for Israel's campaign to destroy Hamas.
He said that Israel must restore its security and that Israeli soldiers are fighting in very difficult conditions, and that the goal of the Government of Israel is clear to return the hostages and restore security for the citizens of Israel.
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