The European Union's top diplomat on Thursday reiterated from Israel his call for civilian lives in Gaza to be protected as he started a five-day tour of the region.
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00:00 The European Union's top diplomat, Joseph Barel, is on a tour of the Middle East, which
00:05 started in Kibbutz Biri in Israel, three kilometres from Gaza.
00:11 Here on the 7th of October, Hamas militants killed at least 130 people, including women,
00:17 children and babies.
00:19 The armed group murdered more than 1,200 people during the attack against Israel and kidnapped
00:24 at least 240 people.
00:27 Barel has met survivors of the attack and family members, accompanied by the Israeli
00:32 Foreign Minister.
00:33 "We all should be united to free Gaza from Hamas, for the security of the State of Israel,
00:44 for the people in Gaza and for the entire world.
00:50 Otherwise, Europe will be the next."
00:54 While the intense fighting against Hamas militants in Gaza is taking a heavy toll on civilians,
00:59 Barel says the EU will continue to stand by Israel's right to self-defence.
01:05 He called for Hamas to be defeated and the hostages to be freed.
01:09 But he acknowledged the militant group doesn't represent Palestinian people, whose lives,
01:14 he said, should be protected.
01:16 Barel urged unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip so that aid can get to those
01:22 who need it.
01:23 He says it includes humanitarian corridors and pauses in the fighting.
01:28 "I understand the fears and pain of the people that have been attacked, slaughtered, kidnapped.
01:36 I understand your rage.
01:41 But let me ask you not to be consumed by rage.
01:46 I think that's what the best friend of Israel can tell you.
01:51 Because what makes the difference between a civilised society and a terrorist group
01:59 is the respect for human life."
02:03 Barel's diplomatic mission continues in the occupied West Bank.
02:08 He'll also travel to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan for talks about humanitarian
02:14 assistance.
02:16 The President of the European Commission will visit Egypt and Jordan this weekend.
02:20 [SWOOSH]