European Council President António Costa expressed his shock at the daily reports of attacks from Gaza, calling on Israel to urgently lift the siege.

In a statement published on Saturday, Costa said:
"The daily news coming from Gaza has shocked me. Civilians are dying of hunger, and hospitals are being bombed again and again. The violence must stop."

He added:
"An entire population is being subjected to disproportionate military force, and international law is being systematically violated."

Costa emphasized that a sustainable ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages are more urgent now than ever before.