The European Union says it will redouble its efforts to end the ongoing violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants, as foreign ministers meet for a special summit on Tuesday. Israel leveled a six-story building in downtown Gaza City on Tuesday morning, as it once again carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on what it said were militant targets. The Kahil building contained libraries and educational centers belonging to the Islamic University. Palestinian fighters also fired dozens of rockets into Israel this morning too. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The violence has so far killed at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, and 10 Israelis. As EU foreign ministers prepare to meet, the bloc appears to be divided over how best to help, and no firm decisions involving threats of sanctions or other measures are likely from the ministers' videoconference. Furthermore, the EU does not have as much influence in the region as Washington and no immediate breakthrough was expected from Tuesday's meeting. Ever since the outbreak of violence last week, the EU has been calling for restraint and condemning attacks that hit civilian populations. EU foreign ministers have earlier expressed "extreme concern" over attacks on the media during the fighting. Speaking on Monday, EU spokesperson Peter Stano also voiced concerns about the attack."The destruction of media offices is extremely worrying and the safety of journalists is essential," Stano said. "The media have to be able to work in an environment of freedom so that they can report independently on what is happening and this is all the more important in a conflict situation, where objective and unbiased reporting is crucial." Tuesday's meeting is to seek "how best that EU can contribute to diffusing the tensions, stop the escalation and stop the ongoing violence," Stano added. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and European Council President Charles Michel have both demanded that civilians get the best possible protection. Pro-Palestinian critics of EU policy insist the bloc has been far too lenient when it comes to imposing sanctions on Jerusalem. Peter Stano said the issue had not yet surfaced ahead of Tuesday's meeting and reiterated the EU's recognition of Israel's right to defend itself with a "proportional" use of violence. "Let's not jump ahead, let's focus on trying to diffuse the situation, trying to solve the situation to normal diplomatic and political means,'' Stano said. EU policy towards the Middle East will require the unanimity of its 27 member states. "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is of such a scale that there are calls all around the European for much more explicit action," said John O'Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University. "But the desire in the European Union to come to a common position is often made impossible because one or other member state will oppose it." "The big problem is a structural one in the European Council," O'Brennan told Euronews. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Israel and the West Bank observed a general strike on Tuesday morning. It was called by leaders of the Palestinian community inside Israel, which makes up 20 percent of the country's population, and embraced by the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. There ministries and schools were closed, and most businesses appeared to be observing the strike. Protests are expected. — Euronews
