BRUSSELS, November 6 – The EU’s Chief Diplomat, Josep Borrell, has described the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East as a result of a “collective political and moral failure.” Speaking at a conference of European envoys in Brussels, he emphasized that both Israelis and Palestinians are paying the price for this failure, and the cost will continue to rise. Borrell believes that the lack of will to resolve the Middle East crisis has led to this failure. He stressed that the international community now has a last chance for a long-term resolution of the conflict, based on the coexistence of two states. Failure to achieve this will result in a spiral of violence and mutual hatred for generations to come, according to the EU’s top diplomat.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has been a source of tension in the region for decades due to territorial interests, reached a new level of confrontation after Israel experienced an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7. Following the massive shelling, Hamas fighters infiltrated border areas in the south of the Jewish state, firing at both military and civilian targets and taking hostages. The military wing of Hamas, the “Al-Qassam Brigades,” announced the launch of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. In response, the Israel Defense Forces initiated the “Operation Iron Swords” in the Gaza Strip. In the days following the attack, Israeli forces gained control of all populated areas along the border and began conducting airstrikes, including on civilian targets, within the enclave. Additionally, Israel declared a complete blockade of Gaza, halting the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel. The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has reached nearly ten thousand people, with approximately half of them being children. Around 25,000 people have been injured. Over 1,400 people have died in Israel, including 20 Russians. Moreover, according to various estimates, around 200-250 people could be held captive by Hamas.
Moscow has called on both sides to cease hostilities. According to Vladimir Putin, the Middle East crisis can only be resolved based on the UN Security Council’s approved “two-state” formula, which includes the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem.
