UN, EU call for ceasefire in Gaza as Israel renews strikes

The United Nations and the European Union have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as Israel has resumed its genocidal war on the strip. 

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Thursday, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of Political Affairs (DPPA), reported on the worsening situation in Gaza after Israel broke the ceasefire and prisoner-captive exchange agreement that lasted nearly two months.

"With every passing day, we move further away from the objective of returning the remaining hostages safely to their homes," Khiari said, referring to the Israeli captives held in Gaza.

The senior UN political affairs official called for the resumption of ceasefire talks and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

He recalled UN relief chief Tom Fletcher’s briefing to the UNSC earlier this week, “a renewed ceasefire is the best way of protecting civilians – in Gaza, in the occupied Palestinian territory, and in Israel – releasing hostages and detainees and allowing aid and commercial supplies in.”

Khiari noted that six UN staff members were among hundreds of people who have been killed since Israel resumed the strikes on Tuesday.

Also on Thursday, the European Council condemned “the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza, which has caused a large number of civilian casualties in recent air strikes”.

It also urged an “immediate” return to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, stressing the necessity of advancing to the second phase of the deal.

The council said the full implementation of the deal is essential for securing the release of all captives and achieving a permanent end to fighting.

Trump 'fully supports' Israel's renewed genocidal campaign in Gaza: White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that US President Donald Trump fully endorses Israel’s renewed offensives in Gaza.

The European Council also called for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and an “immediate” resumption of power supply to Gaza.

Last week, Israeli media said the regime’s energy and infrastructure minister Eli Cohen ordered the Israel Electric Company to stop transmitting electricity to Gaza “immediately.”

The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, warned of Israel’s decision to cut the flow of electricity to Gaza, saying it will impact water supply to the besieged strip.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. It has killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians there so far.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas given the regime’s failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the “elimination” of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

The 42-day stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1, but Israel is refraining from stepping into talks for the second stage of the agreement.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk