The creation of a Palestinian state is the best way to guarantee Israel’s security, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday after a meeting with 27 foreign ministers, AFP reports.

“The best guarantee of Israel’s security is the creation of a Palestinian state,” Borrell said in a written summary of a video conference with 27 ministers after a tour of the Middle East.

This is the “main political conclusion” of his negotiations in the region, the EU diplomat said.

US President Joe Biden also said on October 18 that the war between Israel and Hamas strengthened his “resoluteness” on the decision to create two states.

Borrell insisted that Israel should not occupy Gaza after the conflict ends and that control of the territory should be handed over to the Palestinian Authority.

“Despite the enormous challenges, we must move forward in our thinking regarding the stabilization of Gaza and a future Palestinian state,” he stressed.

In the short term, there is a “sense of urgency” in the region about the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, Borrell added after visiting a number of Arab states.

“The UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian pause is a big step forward, but we must make sure it is implemented quickly,” the EU official said.

Another serious concern is that this conflict will further inflame the explosive situation in the West Bank and involve other players in the Middle East.

“Given the rise in extremist and settler violence against Palestinians, there is a real risk of escalation,” Borrell said.

“Reports of the hijacking of a ship by Houthi rebels are another alarming sign of the risk of regional spread.