Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, upon arriving for an EU summit in Brussels, has said that an Israeli military operation to eliminate Hamas is necessary, but it needs to be done within the boundaries of international law on war and with a minimum level of damage to the civilian population of Gaza, Reuters reports.

“Unfortunately, a military operation needs to take place to eliminate Hamas, there is no other way, otherwise Israel cannot survive in the long run. But this should be done with a minimum of damage to the civilian population,” Rutte said.