EU's von der Leyen slams Israel's expanded military offensive in Gaza
dpa
Brussels/Vienna
Top international officials stepped up their criticism of Israel's expanded military operation in Gaza on Tuesday, as casualties mount from the intensified attacks on the largely destroyed Palestinian territory.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the escalation 'cannot be justified' under international law, while the UN's top human rights official said the attacks on the Gaza Strip violated 'fundamental principles of humanity.' Von der Leyen said that 'the European Commission has always supported - and will continue to support - Israel's right to security and self-defence, but this escalation and disproportionate use of force against civilians cannot be justified under humanitarian and international law.'
'The expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza targeting civilian infrastructure, among them a school that served as a shelter for displaced Palestinian families, killing civilians, including children, is abhorrent,' she said, after a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The European Union calls on Israel 'to put an immediate halt on the current escalation,' she said, and on the Palestinian group Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
Von der Leyen also urged Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza.
'Israel needs to immediately restore aid delivery in line with humanitarian principles, with the participation of the UN and other international humanitarian partners,' she said.
'Europe's commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on a two-state solution remains unwavering.' UN human rights chief Volker Türk said that Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip are no longer covered by the principle of self-defence under international law.
Israel says that it is determined to completely remove the threat posed by Hamas.
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