European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that 26 European Union countries called on Monday to impose an immediate humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip, but Hungary rejected the request.

Borrell added in a press conference following the meeting of European foreign ministers that this request, which was rejected by Hungary, means a “cessation of battles” that later paves the way for a permanent ceasefire.

He added that the 26 countries are “very concerned about the possibility of launching an attack on Rafah,” stressing that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and may get worse if Israel insists on carrying out this operation.

Borrell refused to comment on Hungary’s refusal to ratify the request of the rest of the countries to impose a temporary truce in the Strip, stressing that the European Union intends to “play a role” in the region and cannot do so unless it is united.

For her part, Belgian Foreign Minister Hajjah Lahbib confirmed on the “X” platform that the 26 countries called on Israel to refrain from any military action in Rafah.”

Israel had previously threatened to continue its attack on the Gaza Strip and expand it to include Rafah in the coming month of Ramadan, if Hamas did not release the Israeli hostages by the holy month.

The international community is intensifying its calls to Israel in order to discourage it from invading Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are besieged on the border with Egypt.

While Israeli War Council Minister Benny Gantz said that even in the next holy month of Ramadan, the war could continue in Gaza, threatening to expand the fighting to Rafah unless they return the prisoners.

The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has entered its 136th day, as the Israeli bombing of the Strip continues in light of a catastrophic humanitarian situation, while raids and arrests continue in the West Bank governorates.