Seeing no military answer to Israel-Palestinian tensions, the EU plans for a more peaceful future

By LORNE COOK
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders believe it’s time to lay the foundations for a future relationship between Israel and the Palestinians where the militant group Hamas does not control Gaza. The 27-nation bloc is exploring ways to realize a long-held EU ideal — two states living peacefully side by side — despite the dim prospects for peace. As the Palestinian death toll climbed beyond 7,000 and Israel carried out airstrikes on Friday, EU leaders meeting in Brussels encouraged broader diplomatic and security initiatives to stop the conflict from spreading, and ultimately from ever starting again. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo says war is not the solution, and that “at some point a political dialogue needs to start.”