Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlic-Radman, on Tuesday condemned attacks on Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, supporting Israel's right to defend and protect its citizens, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said in a statement. 

Grlic-Radman attended a special video conference of EU foreign ministers on the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

“Minister Grlic-Radman condemned indiscriminate attacks on Israel by Hamas and other groups and expressed support for Israel’s legitimate right to defend and protect its citizens in accordance with international law,” the statement said.

The EU foreign ministers expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and the large number of casualties, notably women and children. The EU’s priority is ensuring an immediate end to the violence, a cessation of hostilities and access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

The ministers are of the view that the peace process and direct negotiations between the two parties should lead to a sustainable and comprehensive political solution and lasting peace in the Middle East. To that end, the EU will be working on building trust between the two parties and improving living conditions for all citizens.

It was agreed that the EU would engage with relevant international and regional stakeholders, including within the Middle East Quartet, and in particular with the United States, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and others to find a solution to the current crisis and address the causes of tensions in the Middle East, the statement said.