In a significant display of unity, European Union (EU) leaders have called for a cease-fire in Gaza, marking the first time since October that the 27 EU countries have shown unanimous support on the matter. The call came after 166 days of Israel's retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations in the region.

The shift in position by EU members, including Germany, was influenced by news that the United States plans to propose a resolution at the UN Security Council on Friday demanding an immediate cease-fire. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo acknowledged the role played by the US adopting a similar stance.

The toll of Israel's operations in Gaza has been devastating, with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reporting that over 30,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have lost their lives. The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, along with aid groups, have sounded the alarm on the risk of famine in Gaza, where more than half of the 2 million population teeters on the brink of starvation.

On Friday, the US will bring a long-awaited draft resolution to the UN Security Council, calling for an immediate cease-fire and an Israel-Hamas hostage deal. It will be the first time in nearly six months that the US has tabled a resolution regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, having previously vetoed similar efforts.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached dire levels, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing ground offensive. In response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants, where 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, Israel launched a devastating reprisal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, denied accusations of starvation in Gaza, blaming Hamas for obstructing humanitarian aid.

European Council President Charles Michel described the situation as a "humanitarian tragedy." The EU leaders, in a joint statement, called for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable cease-fire. They emphasized the urgent need for full and safe access to deliver life-saving assistance to the civilian population in Gaza.

The statement highlighted the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance as essential measures. The European Council expressed deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly its impact on children, and the imminent risk of famine due to insufficient aid entry.

To address the restrictions on land access, countries such as the US and France have resorted to sea and air deliveries of aid. The US is even constructing a floating dock, and military ships are en route with building equipment. However, experts caution that these methods cannot fully compensate for the absence of land convoys.

Israel's control over Gaza's air, land, and sea borders since 2007 has severely hampered the entry of vital resources. They have repeatedly cut off access to water, electricity, food, and fuel during the ongoing conflict. The EU leaders urged Israel to refrain from launching an offensive in the city of Rafah, a move that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed intention to pursue.

The EU leaders, along with Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warned of the potential escalation of the conflict in the Middle East during a press conference following the summit. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law and humanitarian principles to ensure increased humanitarian access.

As the crisis in Gaza intensifies, a revised version of the UN draft resolution calls for an immediate and sustained six-week cease-fire to protect civilians and enable the delivery of necessary humanitarian aid, according to Reuters reports.

The call by EU leaders for a cease-fire in Gaza and their united front in addressing the dire humanitarian situation is a significant step towards finding a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict. The international community is now closely watching the UN Security Council vote, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring relief to the suffering population of Gaza.