At a summit in Brussels on Thursday, European leaders called for “humanitarian corridors” and “pauses” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas to allow the needs of civilians in Gaza to be met, AFP reported.

The heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries expressed their “deepest concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip” in a statement that sets a common line after more than two weeks of cacophony over the homework.

They called for “continuous, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access (…) to help those in need by all necessary means, including humanitarian corridors and humanitarian breaks”.

“Unity is our strength,” greeted the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on the social network X (formerly Twitter). The declaration required intense negotiations over the words used as the 27 member states tried to strike a balance between support for Israel and solidarity with the civilian population in Gaza.

“How we should respond to Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel is a divisive issue. Opinions differ,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban admitted, insisting on Israel’s right to defend itself.