STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN ON THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS ON THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES AND A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES
Brussels, 21 November 2023
I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities. Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many. I share the joy of the families who can soon embrace their loved ones again. And I am so grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels in recent weeks to broker this agreement. I call on the terrorist Hamas to immediately release all hostages and allow them to return home safely.
The European Commission will do its utmost to use this pause for a humanitarian surge to Gaza. I have asked the Commissioner Janez Lenarčič to upscale further shipments to Gaza as quickly as possible to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Print friendly pdf
Statement by von der Leyen on Israel and Hamas agreement
English (29.483 kB - PDF)
Download (29.483 kB - PDF)
Contacts for media
· Eric MAMER
Phone
+32 2 299 40 73
Mail
eric.mamer@ec.europa.eu
· Arianna PODESTA
+32 2 298 70 24
arianna.podesta@ec.europa.eu
The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. All personal information processed by the Directorate-General for Communication / European Commission Representations is treated accordingly. If you do not work for a media organisation, you are welcome to contact the EU through Europe Direct in writing or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.
Athanasios ATHANASIOU
Press Officer / Political Reporter
European Commission
Representation in Cyprus
EU House, 30 Vyronos Avenue, 1096 Nicosia
Tel: +357 22 81 75 76 Mob: +357 99 363753
Twitter: @aathans