Spain says ‘what is terrible becoming normal’ in famine-hit Gaza
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has warned against complacency over the fragile Gaza ceasefire telling a forum in Barcelona the international community must do more.
“We cannot settle for the silence of the weapons, for a simple truce. We must act,” Albares said, adding there’s a risk of “what is terrible becoming normal, of becoming accustomed to images of pain and suffering”.
He called for massive humanitarian aid “to end the famine” and said the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, should manage Gaza’s reconstruction.
EU officials criticised for reversing sanctions threat on Israel
Two former senior European Union officials who worked on the bloc’s foreign policy have criticised a decision by current ministers to ditch sanctions against Israel.
On Monday, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s most senior diplomat, said a call to impose trade restrictions on Israel is being walked back because the Gaza “ceasefire has changed the context”.
Kallas added, however, that the option remains on the table if no progress is made on consolidating the truce.
Nathalie Tocci, who advised two EU foreign policy chiefs, said not pursuing sanctions is the “last thing” the EU should be doing, as this is the moment “you need to keep the pressure on” Israel.
Tocci said she’s concerned that EU institutions may return to business as usual with Israel.
Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, who previously served as the EU representative to the Palestinian territories, told the Guardian newspaper that sanctions must be used to respond to breaches of international and humanitarian law, as is the case in Gaza.
That was the intent of the 'peace' plan all along, nothing to see here, war is over, back to business as usual.
UK to send soldiers for Gaza ceasefire monitoring mission
Britain will send soldiers to help monitor ceasefire efforts in Gaza at a US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre that will oversee the mission.
The US has sent about 200 troops to the Israel-based centre. They will be involved in the logistics of getting aid into Gaza and the territory’s reconstruction.
John Healey, the UK defence secretary, has said: “We have also, in response to the American request, put a first-rate two-star officer into a civilian-military command as the deputy commander. So Britain will play an anchor role, contribute the specialist experience and skills where we can.”
Germany also said it’s sending a few members of its armed forces.
Only Zionist controlled countries so far allowed to send (a few) troops...
