By Martin Banks

The EU says it is “gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis” in Gaza.

Its High Representative,or foreign minister, Josep Borrell issued a statement which read: “The EU joins calls for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors… so that humanitarian aid can safely reach the population of Gaza.”

Borrell, a former MEP, added, “The EU re-emphasizes Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law”.

“The EU calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.”

The EU, he added, “reiterates its call on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It is crucial that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is granted access to the hostages.”

Brussels “condemns the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas. Civilians must be allowed to leave the combat zone.”

Borrell, a former president of the EU Parliament, said, “These hostilities are severely impacting hospitals and taking a horrific toll on civilians and medical staff.

“The EU emphasizes that international humanitarian law stipulates that hospitals, medical supplies and civilians inside hospitals must be protected. Hospitals must also be supplied immediately with the most urgent medical supplies and patients that require urgent medical care need to be evacuated safely. In this context, we urge Israel to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the protection of civilians.”

The Spanish born diplomat noted, “The EU and its member states, will continue to work closely with international partners, the UN and other agencies as well as countries in the region to provide a sustained flow of assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter.”

Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil will be held in Brussels later this month to remember journalists who have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the current violence in the region.

It will be held on Rond-Point Schuman at 4.30 to 7 pm on Monday 27 November in memory of the over 30 journalists killed in Gaza.

It is believed this is the number who have lost their lives over the past six weeks alone.

Organisers of the vigil claim the reporters have been “deliberately targeted.”

A spokesman for the organisers said, “We will be reminding the European Commission, MEPs and everybody else that deliberately targeting journalists is a war crime.”

Further comment comes from IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, who said: “The number of media workers who have lost their lives in three weeks of conflict is unprecedented.

“This rate of attrition among media workers has deeply shocked journalists the world over. No one can watch the growing tally of fallen colleagues without mounting horror.”