Germany's Scholz-'Need To Prevent Spillover Of Israel-Hamas War'

Speaking at the European Council summit in Brussels, Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz states that the summit, "Will be about making clear we support Israel defending itself". Scholz: "We will also work towards humanitarian support for Gaza populations which are also victims of Hamas." Warns that "We need to do everything we can to avoid spillover of the conflict."

• The stance of major EU nations such as Germany and France are likely to prove important in reaching a consensus within EUCO on how to approach the Israel-Hamas war. The initial announcement of a halting of aid to Palestinian organisations by the Commission was swiftly rowed back, while Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also come in for criticism from some for supposedly offering zealous backing for Israel without consulting member states.
• On the other side, some EU members, most notably Spain, have been criticised for calling for an immediate ceasefire. Israel has warned that such a move would be exploited by Hamas to recover and build up its arsenal and forces following a lengthy aerial bombardment by the IDF.
• Earlier today, wires reported that the draft conclusions had the EUCO calling for 'pauses' in the fighting in order to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. It remains to be seen whether these comments reach the final document.