Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte believes that calling on EU countries to stop the battle between Israel and Hamas to provide emergency aid will make a difference. According to him, the European Union and the United States, Israel’s most important ally, are now pressing to achieve this together. “Israel also has an interest in maintaining support.”

At their summit in Brussels on Thursday evening, Rutte and his fellow government leaders called for a “temporary pause to meet humanitarian needs” in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. “I think it’s important,” Rutte said afterwards of the hard-fought agreement. He believes that the combined weight of Europe, the United States and the countries of the region is important. Moreover, according to him, the call to “provide ordinary Gazans with the necessary assistance” is also heard in Israel itself.

For example, Rutte said whether aid supplies to Gaza would improve now “we will have to see in the coming days.” According to him, all diplomatic efforts are now focused on this.

Member states, such as Germany, were wary of compromising Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Subsequently, appeals by Spain, among others, for a ceasefire failed. “This actually means saying to Israel: You are not allowed to defend yourself,” Rutte said.

Before the summit began, the outgoing Prime Minister insisted on “immediate” access to large-scale aid, but leaders described it as “fast”. Rutte also wanted to ask Israel for “restraint,” but this was not stated in so many words by the leaders. They emphasize that citizens must be protected at all times.