The Guardian reports that the statement followed an agreement by European Union leaders on the need for an immediate humanitarian pause that should lead to permanent peace in the region. A draft resolution from the U.S. aimed at achieving a truce and the release of hostages is expected to be put to a vote at the UN Security Council.
At a summit in Brussels, on March 21, the European Union adopted a declaration, the first since October 2023, on the situation in the Middle East. In addition, and the Biden administration emphasizes the relevance and urgency of the truce issue in its draft resolution.
Senior CIA and Mossad officials will travel to Qatar to discuss the terms of a truce between Israel and Hamas. And U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized during a visit to Egypt that there is still much work to be done, but he believes an agreement will be reached.
The EU in its statement called for the "release of all hostages without preconditions" by Hamas, without linking that demand to an Israeli halt to hostilities. Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said there was unanimous support from all 27 EU member states for "full and safe humanitarian access to Gaza."
Blinken described the U.S. draft resolution as a call for "an immediate cessation of hostilities, including the release of hostages." Nate Evans, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the UN, said he plans to submit the document for a vote Friday morning after a series of consultations with the Security Council.
