In a joint condemnation, the 27 nations of the European Union have criticized Hamas for employing hospitals and civilians as “human shields” in its conflict with Israel. The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized unity among member states in a statement issued following weeks of divergent views on addressing the Israel-Hamas war.

The EU called for “maximum restraint and targeting” from Israel to prevent civilian casualties, alongside appeals for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors for aid delivery to Gaza. The statement reiterated a demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas, stressing the importance of granting access to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

A focal point in the condemnation was the EU’s explicit disapproval of Hamas’s use of hospitals and civilians as human shields. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, believed to house one of Hamas’s main command centers, has come under scrutiny as the Israel Defense Forces closed in on the area.

Despite not explicitly calling for a ceasefire, the EU nations expressed understanding for the impetus behind such a move. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored the need to address critical questions, including ensuring Israel’s security and the fate of hostages, in any ceasefire negotiations.

In the midst of the conflict, a Turkish ship carrying supplies for field hospitals arrived at an Egyptian port near the Gaza Strip. The vessel, the first to reach Egypt since the outbreak of hostilities, carried materials for eight field hospitals. Italy and France are also set to deploy hospital ships near Gaza to provide essential medical support.

As the situation in Gaza remains dire, with hospitals facing fuel shortages and some declared “out of service,” international efforts for humanitarian aid and medical support intensify. The EU’s unified stance seeks to address the complexities of the conflict while condemning actions that endanger civilians and exploit medical facilities.