The European Commission on Sunday welcomed
the unilateral ceasefire announced by Israel and called on Hamas to refrain
from violence so that human suffering in Gaza could end, dpa reported.
The ceasefire was indispensable, said External Relations Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner. The stop in violence was also necessary to allow the EU and
other donors to help the people in Gaza.
"Our priority is a permanent peace," she said, adding that she hoped
that the crossings into Gaza would be opened again soon and that all Israeli
soldiers would be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip.
Brussels also wanted to encourage peace among the Palestinians, who have been
torn between the radical Hamas and the Fatah movement of Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas.
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