FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has denounced Israel’s latest military operations in Gaza, calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure “abhorrent.”
In a phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah, von der Leyen condemned the strikes, which rescue workers say killed at least 52 people on Monday, including 33 sheltering in a school that had been converted into temporary housing for displaced families.
“The expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, targeting civilian infrastructure, including a school housing displaced Palestinian families, where civilians were killed, including children, is abhorrent,” von der Leyen said, according to an official transcript of the conversation.
While reaffirming the European Commission’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself, von der Leyen stressed that the escalation and disproportionate use of force against civilians cannot be justified under international and humanitarian law.
The EU has faced internal divisions over its stance on the conflict, but pressure has been mounting for stronger action following Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza.