European Union’s Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell, strongly condemned the attacks carried out by “Israeli settlers against Palestinians” in the occupied West Bank, expressing his “deep concern” over the matter.
In conversations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Borrell also discussed the “urgent need to restore the political horizon and relaunch the peace process,” in addition to “reaching a permanent settlement for this conflict based on a two-state solution,” according to the French Press Agency.
On the other hand, the spokesperson for the European Union’s Foreign Affairs, Peter Stano, warned that the situation in the West Bank “may spiral out of control,” cautioning against a “dangerous escalation of the conflict.”
He added, “It is Israel’s duty to protect civilians in the West Bank from the violence of extremist settlers, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure the Israeli army’s intervention. This is a legal obligation that must be fulfilled.”
Brussels had previously called for the protection of civilians on both sides and urged Hamas to release hostages without preconditions, as well as for a “humanitarian ceasefire” to allow aid into Gaza.
On October 7th, fighters from the movement infiltrated Israeli areas through the border fence and attacked border towns and residential areas, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, on the first day of the assault, during which Hamas also took 240 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
The Ministry of Health affiliated with Hamas announced that the death toll due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 8,500, with nearly half of them being children. Israel has also intensified its operations in the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.
At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since October 7th, according to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army demolished the home of Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Saleh al-Arouri in the village he hails from in the occupied West Bank, according to witnesses and videos distributed by the army.
The Israeli army stated that its forces entered the village of Arura near Ramallah and opened fire on individuals who were “hurling stones” during the demolition operation.
