European FMs convene to mull ways to end Gaza fighting

By Agencies 18 May 2021, 1:08 pm

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BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers are meeting to discuss how to use the 27-nation bloc’s political clout to help diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Gaza between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian terrorists.

The EU has been united in its calls for a ceasefire and the need for a political solution to end the latest conflict — now in its second week — but the nations are divided over how best to help. No firm decisions involving threats of sanctions or other measures are likely from the ministers’ videoconference.

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano says today’s meeting is aimed at working out “how best the EU can contribute to defusing the tensions, stop the escalation and stop the ongoing violence.”