EU calls on Gaza and Israel to end fighting

European foreign ministers on Monday called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Gaza, urging both sides to show restraint and not harm civilians. “All attacks must end immediately as they cause unjustifiable suffering of innocent civilians,” the 27 ministers said in a joint statement after talks in Brussels, dpa reported. “An immediate cessation of hostilities is in everyone’s interest, particularly at a time of instability in the region,” they added. The fighting between Israel and Hamas forces in Gaza has raged unabated for six days and has so far cost 100 Palestinian and three Israeli lives. The ministers called for rocket attacks from Gaza to “cease immediately” and for Israel to “act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times” in its counterattacks. They also underlined the “urgent need” to find a long-term political solution allowing the two states to “live side-by-side in peace and security.”