EU Leaders, Led by Ireland, Call for Gaza Ceasefire Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar Criticizes EU's Handling of Israel-Palestine Issue, Calls for 'Serious Debate'

EU leaders, led by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, are increasingly calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, citing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Varadkar, along with the prime ministers of Spain, Belgium, and Malta, has written to European Council President Charles Michel, urging a 'serious debate' about the war and the 'humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.'
Varadkar has criticized the EU for its perceived double standards and loss of credibility due to its inability to take a stronger, united position on the Israel-Palestine issue.
17 out of 27 EU countries now back a ceasefire, a significant increase from the eight that supported a truce resolution in October.
Despite mounting international pressure, Israel has shown no signs of scaling down its fighting in Gaza, with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant suggesting the conflict would last 'more than several months.'