Korcok calls for de-escalation of Israel-Hamas conflict

Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok at a special session of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group and the protection of civilians on both sides, the foreign ministry has told TASR. Korcok pointed to the fact that Hamas militants have recently launched more than 3,000 rockets at Israel, and he condemned these attacks. Israel has the right to protect its territory and ensure the security of its people, he said. In this vein, Korcok called for the immediate de-escalation of the conflict and maximum restraint when it comes to the use of military and coercive means with regard to the security of the civilian population, remarking that a resolution of the conflict needs to be sought at a negotiating table.