EU’s Borrell says world must impose solution to Gaza conflict
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The EU's Josep Borrell said he would propose to member states the creation of a mission to contribute to Red Sea security.
PHOTO: AFP
LISBON - The international community must impose a solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict as the warring sides are unable to come to terms, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Jan 3.
“I believe that we have learnt in these 30 years that the solution has to be imposed from outside because the two parties will never be able to reach an agreement,” he told an event in Lisbon.
He also warned that “if this tragedy doesn’t end soon, the entire Middle East might end up in flames”.
The war reached into Lebanon on Jan 2 with the killing in Beirut of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in a drone strike. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied that it killed al-Arouri.
The assassination was a further sign that the nearly three-month war between Israel and Hamas was spreading across the region, drawing in the occupied West Bank, Hezbollah forces on the Lebanon-Israel border, and even Red Sea shipping lanes.
“What happened yesterday with the death of one of the leaders of Hamas is yet another factor that could push the conflict to escalate,” Mr Borrell said, adding that he had plans to visit the Middle East, including Lebanon, to “explore ways out” of the conflict.
He added that he would present to EU member states a proposal to create a mission to contribute to security in the Red Sea.
Mr Borrell said the proposal would be presented on Jan 4 and would require unanimity among member states. REUTERS
