Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said in a speech this morning that the situation in the Middle East is “the outcome of a collective political and moral failure” due to “a real lack of willingness to solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem.”

“I think that, we Europeans, we have the moral and political obligation to be involved - not only by providing aid but contributing to a durable solution,” he said.

“I think that we have three responsibilities. We must continue sticking to a firm and balanced position, and to avoid importing in Europe this conflict at all costs,” Borrell said, pointing to rising anti-Semitism and stressing that “anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim sentiments are totally unacceptable.”

The second responsibility, according to Borrell, is a “humanitarian solution.”

International humanitarian law needs to be respected, the foreign policy chief said, adding that that “a humanitarian pause” counterbalanced by access to hostages could be a “first step”.

Borrell also said that “a massive increase in humanitarian support” as well as the evacuation of third country nationals and a “proportionate Israeli response” are all necessary.

“But the important thing is to think about a comprehensive and definitive settlement which is clearly out of reach today,” he added.