Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

European newspapers in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, focused on the latest developments in Gaza, especially the Israeli bombing of a school, which led to the death of at least a hundred people. According to the media in Brussels, the Hamas movement described the Israeli bombing in a press release as a "school massacre", and the Palestinian movement referred to a "dangerous escalation". According to an Israeli army spokesman, about twenty militants from the extremist Palestinian group Hamas and the terrorist group Islamic Jihad were operating from the school that was bombed in Gaza City last night, which led to the death of at least a hundred people. He added that "the building and the mosque inside it served as an active military base for Hamas and Islamic Jihad." According to the army, the announced death toll - at least a hundred - does not match reality. It did not mention how many there would be.

An Israeli air strike on a school in Gaza City killed at least 100 people. This was reported by medical and security sources in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Saturday. Initially, the civil defense reported forty deaths, but the number has risen sharply since then. These figures could not be independently verified.

Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal said dozens were also injured in the attack on the Tabeen School. He added that the building in the Sahaba neighborhood was housing “displaced Palestinians.” Bassal described the situation as a “horrific massacre” and spoke of bodies being burned. “The teams are trying to contain the fire, find the bodies of the martyrs and rescue the injured,” he added.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out an attack on the building. “The terrorists of Hama, who were operating from the command and control center in the school, were struck,” the statement said.

The Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip also reported on Thursday Israeli attacks on two schools in Gaza City. Eighteen people were killed. Until then, the Israeli military said the building was a command center.

This came after the European Union issued a statement in Brussels announcing that it fully supported the call by the leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar to conclude a ceasefire agreement and release hostages and detainees. The statement also said: “The European Union has consistently supported the tireless efforts of the United States, Egypt and Qatar to facilitate negotiations to end the conflict and welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2735, based on the principles set out by President Biden on 31 May 2024.

Last June, EU leaders, while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself, called for the full implementation of the terms of the ceasefire proposal without delay and without conditions.

The EU has repeatedly reiterated its deep concern about the situation in Gaza and condemned the loss of civilian lives, noting the unacceptable number of civilian casualties.

Agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees is urgently required. This deal will also pave the way for regional de-escalation.