European Council president highlights soaring civilian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – European Council President Charles Michel pointed to the soaring civilian death toll from Israel’s bombardment of Gaza in a speech Monday at a European Union Ambassadors Conference in Brussels.

“Israel is a friend and ally. It is a democracy. We will always support Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, especially international humanitarian law,” said Michel.

He warned, however, that "every measure must be taken to ensure that civilians are not targeted. And this includes international staff and medical staff.”

Michel noted that since the beginning of the war on Oct. 7, 88 aid workers have been killed.

“Civilians must be protected in every way. Every civilian life matters,” he said.

“Against this background, we repeat our call for a humanitarian pause in Gaza."

Also speaking at the conference, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “The unfolding tragedy in the Middle East is the outcome of a collective political and moral failure which the Israeli and Palestinian people are paying a high price for.”

“The military strategy of Israel has also to abide to international law, including the law that seeks to avoid, to every extent possible, the death and suffering of civilian populations,” he added.