Eurotopics.net

Following the radical Islamic Hamas organisation's attack on Israel, the EU is struggling to find a united stance. At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg it became clear that the demand for a humanitarian ceasefire for Gaza is particularly controversial. Countries like Spain and Ireland are in favour, while Germany and Austria have voiced doubts. The commentaries reflect the divided views in the decision-making process.

After the attack by the radical Islamic Hamas on Israel and the Israeli military's response in the Gaza Strip, tensions are also running high in Europe. There have been numerous expressions of sympathy with Hamas and antisemitic slogans at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and in Berlin a synagogue was attacked. Europe's press voices concern.

During its terrorist attack on Israel, radical Islamic Hamas took more than 200 hostages. Just over two weeks after the kidnappings, first two US citizens - a mother and her daughter - then two Israeli senior citizens have been released. It appears that Egypt and Qatar were involved as mediators. Europe's press discusses this unaccustomed role for Qatar in particular.

Sergio Massa, Argentina's Peronist Minister of Economy, has unexpectedly won the first round of the country's presidential elections. There was a wave of concern across the world when right-wing populist Javier Milei, who wants to disband the central bank and denies climate change, took the lead in open primaries in August. But commentators see little cause for relief ahead of the run-off between the two candidates.