European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for an enduring ceasefire in Gaza, urging both parties to agree on the US three-phase plan to protect civilians and secure the immediate release of all hostages.
Borrell’s statement comes after an Israeli strike early Thursday on a UN school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people, including five children.
The strike occurred as the Israeli army announced new air and ground attacks in central Gaza, escalating the nearly eight-month-long conflict. Prior to Thursday’s strike, an international medical charity had already reported a significant increase in casualties.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah received at least 37 bodies from the strike on the UNRWA-run school, according to health officials. The incident underscores the ongoing violence and suffering endured by innocent civilians in Gaza.
Borrell emphasized the urgent need for an independent investigation into such appalling incidents, aligning with previous calls for accountability and justice.