EU urges "utmost restraint" from Israel over Gaza plans

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EU urges "utmost restraint" from Israel over Gaza plans

2025-05-06 12:16 Last Updated At：16:47

The European Union (EU) has voiced concern over Israel's planned military escalation in Gaza, calling for maximum restraint.

On Monday, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni expressed the EU's deep concern following Israeli security cabinet's approval to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip. The EU warned that such actions could lead to further casualties and exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian population.

Anouni emphasized that negotiations remain the only viable path to securing the release of hostages and ending all hostilities. The EU also called on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza to enable the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that the country's new offensive in the Gaza Strip would be "intensive", referring to a plan approved by his security cabinet on escalating the ongoing campaign in Gaza.

The security cabinet voted overnight in favor of the plan, under which Israel would expand the offensive to seize Gaza, control aid, and relocate the population to the south of the enclave.

On Monday, Hamas denounced Israel's new aid distribution plan as "political blackmail". In a press statement, Hamas argued that the plan would convert humanitarian aid into a political tool, violate international law, and contribute to "starvation and forced displacement" in the coastal enclave. Notably, the faction has yet to make a response to the Israeli threat to expand its military campaign.

Israel has prevented goods and supplies from entering Gaza since March 2, after the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas expired. It argued that the aid blockade aims to prevent Hamas from seizing control of supplies and to pressure the faction into accepting its offer for extending the first phase of the truce deal.

On March 18, Israel resumed military assaults in Gaza, effectively ending the phased truce. According to an update by the health authorities in Gaza on Monday, the renewed Israeli strikes have killed 2,459 Palestinians in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll since the conflict began in October 2023 to 52,567.

Several rounds of mediated talks have been held recently, but all have failed to restore the Gaza ceasefire due to differences between the parties.

Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.

In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.

"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.

Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.

Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.

"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.

Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.

Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.

"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.