Brussels  - The European Commission on Sunday welcomed the unilateral ceasefire announced by Israel and called on Hamas to refrain from violence so that human suffering in Gaza could end.

The ceasefire was indispensable, said External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The stop in violence was also necessary to allow the EU and other donors to help the people in Gaza.

"Our priority is a permanent peace," she said, adding that she hoped that the crossings into Gaza would be opened again soon and that all Israeli soldiers would be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip.

Brussels also wanted to encourage peace among the Palestinians, who have been torn between the radical Hamas and the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. dpa