Since the start of the war, about [more than 41,000] Palestinians have been killed, maybe more below the rubble of Gaza. Most of them are innocent civilians, including over 11,000 children. And this after 1,200 Israelis were killed and hundreds taken hostages. Many of them still are being kept in captivity, while Gaza has been reduced to rubble. A place where life is no longer possible.

This week I met families of hostages. I already did during my last visit to Israel, and I see their agony. And two weeks ago, I was at the border of Gaza. I heard the bombing behind me, and I saw large supplies of humanitarian aid, which could be life-saving, but are not allowed to enter into Gaza.

The European Union keeps calling for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, which is really needed. And we support the United States, Qatar, and Egypt in their ongoing efforts.

The escalation in the region is driving it into the abyss of a full-blown war across the Blue line and in the region. While we are talking, bombs are again falling in Beirut, and civilians are paying an unbearable price.

The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which I am proud to represent here, supports the French and American efforts for an urgent ceasefire in Lebanon, and implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties. It is essential – but allow me to remind you that this resolution was adopted 20 years ago, and we are still asking for it to be implemented.

The West Bank, including Jerusalem, is about to fall off a cliff. The European Union continues condemning [the] violence, all kinds of terrorism and settlement expansion. We have adopted sanctions on terrorist organisations, such as Hamas, but also on some of the extremist settlers. And, as many have said, sorry, but the West Bank is becoming another Gaza. You can see the videos of bulldozers destroying roads, destroying water supply systems, destroying sewage – all that in the name of fighting against terrorism, of course.

Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese and all people deserve security and the protection of international law. For Israel’s sake, as well as for the Palestinians, we need a strong, legitimate and effective Palestinian authority. Therefore, we support its reform and, on that basis, we provide emergency support worth €400 million, and we will work with key partners on further support.

Extremist forces do their worst to fan the hate, the hate that killed [Yitzhak] Rabin, [former Prime Minister of Israel]. The hate that killed Rabin and the same voices that are pushing for killing Rabin now are being heard again. So, all of us must help the societies to speak to each other. Understanding the suffering of the other is certainly the most difficult challenge, the most difficult thing to be done by people in conflict. But it has to be done.

We, Europeans, can maybe present an example of  [how] this has been. [Some will say]  that this is not the time for the two-state solution. When was the right time? What will be the right time? How many more people have to die before it is the right time?