The foreign ministers of EU countries called for a ceasefire to end the violence in Palestine, but failed to reach an agreement, which may allow the EU to play a role in peacemaking.

Hungary, Israel’s closest ally in the group, refused to join 26 other foreign ministers in calling for a ceasefire during a video call convened by Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign policy.

After presiding over the meeting, Borrell said that the ministers generally reached a consensus that “the priority is to immediately stop all violence and implement a ceasefire.”

Borrell admitted that Hungary is the only one of the 27 member states and did not approve of his remarks. The EU’s traditional differences in policies towards Israel and the Palestinians were broadcast unusually and publicly on Tuesday. He did not provide details.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto later told AFP: “I have general doubts about these European declarations on Israel… These declarations are usually unilateral. These declarations are not helpful, especially in the current situation. Down, when the tensions intensify, so high.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that if a ceasefire agreement is not reached, the conflict could spread throughout the region. He also said that he hoped that Israel would not initiate ground operations in Gaza.

Le Drian told reporters during the break of the meeting: “Every day there are greater risks: the risk of conflict spreading to the West Bank, the risk of violence within Israel, and the risk of conflict becoming a regional conflict.”

Nonetheless, other ministers pledged that the EU will restart the peace process with the United States, Russia and the United Nations.

Malta’s Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo told Reuters News: “At a minimum, we can try to reach a ceasefire, then provide humanitarian assistance, and then see what we can do to restart the Middle East peace process to address the root causes of violence.” mechanism.

He said: “We cannot allow extremists on both sides to learn from each other’s strengths and set an agenda.”

Since the attack began earlier this month, at least 217 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed in Gaza.

About 1,500 Palestinians were injured. In Israel, 12 people were killed, including two children, and at least 300 others were injured.

“The situation on the ground is very worrying. The number of casualties is heavy. Israeli and Palestinian families are mourning. The imagery is so bad that no one can be indifferent. Waiting is not an option,” Le Drian said.

He also said: “One of the reasons for today’s serious situation is that there is no prospect of a political process. What we need to do is to find a way to the political process, but first, we must ensure that the hostilities are ended.”

Quartet

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also stated that “weapons must be silent in the end”.

Maas emphasized the role of the diplomatic Quartet. The European Union is represented by its new Middle East peace envoy Sven Koopmans and said that “we support the further expansion of his mediation efforts.”

The other three members of the Quartet are the United Nations, the United States and Russia.

Mas added: “We must use our relationship with both parties to encourage confidence-building steps to calm the situation within Israel and the West Bank.”

“Only in this way can it be possible to talk about a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict again.”