EU chief diplomat calls for ceasefire after Sinwar’s death
The European Union’s foreign policy chief says a ceasefire was a priority in Israel’s regional conflicts, and that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces could increase the chances of achieving it.
“After the killing of Sinwar a new perspective is open and we have to use it to reach a ceasefire, a release the remaining (Israeli) hostages and to look for a political perspective,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, told reporters at a meeting of G7 defence ministers in Naples.
He also said the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, could be strengthened, having come under fire in clashes between Israel and its Lebanese enemy Hezbollah.
“UN forces have to be respected all over the world … maybe the mission of the UNIFIL has to be reviewed but the first thing to do is a ceasefire,” Borrell said, adding it would be up to the United Nations Security Council to make decisions on UNIFIL.
The wars are only escalating further. Bombing of Gaza is only increasing and Hezbollah is only fighting back harder. Calling for a ceasefire hasn't worked since the temporary pause last November. Stop calling, start acting.
‘All genocides in Gaza and Lebanon should stop’: Erdogan
At a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the international community to pressure Israel into ending what he called Israeli “genocides” in Gaza and Lebanon.
Speaking in Istanbul, Erdogan said the two leaders discussed “the genocidal war waged by Israel against Gaza and all the attacks against Lebanon. The tragic humanitarian situation that the region is living in was also one of the topics.”
Turkey has urged an immediate ceasefire and the entrance of humanitarian aid into the Strip, Erdogan said.
“We, as an international community, need to exert pressure on Israel so all the genocides in Gaza and Lebanon should stop. As long as these genocides are ongoing, our region cannot achieve peace and stability,” he added.
“Over 50,000 people have been killed. All those with a conscience need to take responsibility to put an end to this Israeli approach, and we will continue to work on this path.”
How Sinwar’s killing shattered Israel’s narrative
Claims that Yahya Sinwar was hiding in tunnels surrounded by captives, beneath civilian centres in Gaza, were used to justify Israel’s genocidal assault on the enclave.
His killing, above ground, following a firefight with Israeli forces, undermines many of the narratives that have come from Israeli officials and news outlets over the past year.
"The Israeli mythmaking of Yahya Sinwar"
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/the-listening-post/2024/10/19/the-israeli-mythmaking-of-yahya-sinwar
