The extraordinary European Council meeting will be held by video conference on October 17 at 5:30 p.m., he said.
Michel said in a statement on Saturday: "Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks against Israel last Saturday resulted in the tragic loss of over a thousand innocent Israeli civilians. Hostages must be released immediately and without any preconditions. There is no justification for terror."
'Israel has the right to defend itself'
He added: "We stand in full solidarity with the people of Israel and the victims of the terrorist attacks. Israel has the right to defend itself in full compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law."
Michel also said that "the unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip resulting from the siege and the lack of basic needs combined with the destruction brought by significant shelling, are raising alarm bells in the international community."
"... I would like to convene an extraordinary European Council meeting, to be held by video conference on Tuesday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m.," he announced.
"It is of utmost importance that the European Council, in line with the Treaties and our values, sets our common position and establishes a clear unified course of action that reflects the complexity of the unfolding situation," he added.
'A major risk of migration'
He warned that the conflict in the Middle East "has many consequences, including for us in the European Union."
These include "a major risk of migration and movements of a large number of people to neighboring countries which already have a significant number of refugees on their territory," according to Michel.
"If not handled carefully, there is a risk of onward migratory waves to Europe," Michel said.
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Source: IAR, PAP, politico.eu, consilium.europa.eu
