UPDATE - EU Commission's 'immediate priority' is delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The EU's immediate priority is to deliver as much humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as possible, head of the European Commission said on Friday.

Speaking at a news conference at the end of the European Council summit in Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe organized 28 humanitarian flights, delivering around 1,200 tons of aid.

She said Europe is planning "another five flights before the end of the year."

Von der Leyen also focused on the need to work on the aftermath of the conflict, and said: "There can be no peace unless there is the prospect of a political solution, both for Israelis and Palestinians and this is the two-state solution."

The head of the commission, however, underlined that "Gaza cannot be a safe haven for Hamas. Hamas cannot be in the governance structure of a Palestinian state."

She suggested a "reformed Palestinian Authority" that must govern both the West Bank and Gaza.

- Difference of opinion on cease-fire

President of the EU Council Charles Michel, for his part, said one of the most important agenda items of the meeting was the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He said there were different opinions regarding the conflict, saying: "Some want a 'humanitarian pause,' and some want a 'humanitarian ceasefire.'"

Michel, however, emphasized that the commitment to humanitarian aid and the political process towards a two-state solution was accepted by all leaders.

He added that the EU was firmly united for "Israel's security."

Stressing the need for a two-state solution following the conflict, Michel said the recurrent attacks from Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank should also be condemned.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in the wake of a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,787 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 51,000 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

- Ukraine's accession to EU

Michel said the EU could not reach a consensus on additional assistance to Ukraine, adding that the discussion would continue next year.

"That's why we will revote early next year. We will have a special summit with the aim to convince 27 member states to agree on this proposal ... I'm extremely confident and optimistic that we will be in a position to fulfill on our promises to support Ukraine," he added.

Von der Leyen said the EU "did not manage to reach unanimity yesterday, Hungary was unable to support, so there is now a new rendezvous early next year."

Hungary vetoed EU funding of €50 billion (over $54.9 billion) for Ukraine, and abstained from voting for EU's decision to launch talks on Kyiv's accession to the 27-member bloc.