EU and US pile on pressure for Gaza ceasefire

EU leaders call for immediate humanitarian pause' while US expected to bring UN resolution calling for truce without delay

EU leaders have overcome their differences to call for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza, hours before the US is expected to bring a resolution to a vote at the UN calling for a truce and a hostage deal without delay in the face of a looming famine.

The EU declaration, at a Brussels summit late on Thursday, marked the first time European leaders had agreed a declaration on the Middle East since October. The US draft resolution to be put to a vote in the UN security council on Friday morning also reflects greater urgency in Washington's position. It is the first time the Biden administration has put forward language calling for an immediate ceasefire", although it continues to link a truce with a hostage deal.