MADRID

The leaders of Spain, Belgium, Ireland, and Malta on Sunday jointly penned a letter to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, urging a decisive stance on the situation in Gaza ahead of the upcoming EU Council summit scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Brussels.

The letter, signed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, emphasizes the need for a dedicated discussion on the Gaza situation and a firm commitment to a two-state solution during the summit.

The joint letter, led by Spain, which will complete its EU presidency at the end of December, and Belgium, which is set to take over the presidency on Jan. 1, emphasizes the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

While condemning the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 and reiterating Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law, the four prime ministers also advocated for the EU to make a joint decision to ensure a lasting cease-fire, the protection of civilians in Gaza, and unimpeded delivery of aid.

Israel resumed its military offensive on the Gaza Strip on Dec. 1 after the end of a weeklong humanitarian pause with Hamas.

Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 49,229 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following the cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.