NNA - The EU's 27 leaders called on Thursday for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in Gaza and urged Israel not to launch a major ground offensive in the southernmost city of Rafah.

"The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire," the leaders said after meeting in Brussels, while also calling for "the unconditional release of all hostages".

The Council "urges the Israeli government not to undertake a ground operation in Rafah, which would worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance", they added in their conclusions.

More than a million Palestinians are "currently seeking safety from the fighting and access to humanitarian assistance there", the leaders noted, AFP reported. 

The European Union has struggled for a united response on Israel's military operation following the October 7 attack by Hamas.

There have been mounting warnings of the risk of famine in Gaza, and the leaders called for "full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into" Gaza.

The leaders were "deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children, as well as the imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza".--agencies 

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