BRUSSELS: European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza had turned the Palestinian territory into the world’s biggest “open-air graveyard”.
Speaking at a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels, Borrell expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. “Gaza was before the war the greatest open-air prison. Today it’s the greatest open-air graveyard,” he remarked, highlighting the devastating toll of the conflict on the civilian population.
Borrell accused Israel of exacerbating the crisis by preventing aid trucks from entering Gaza, describing the tactic as a “weapon of war” leading to famine. “Israel is provoking famine,” he emphasized at a humanitarian conference.
Over 31,726 Palestinians Killed in Gaza
According to Gaza’s health ministry, the military campaign launched by Israel since October 7 has resulted in the deaths of at least 31,726 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children.
The EU, comprising 27 member nations, has grappled with devising a unified response to the conflict in Gaza, with differing stances among member states. While some countries firmly support Israel, others advocate for a more pro-Palestinian approach.
During the meeting, EU ministers were slated to discuss a proposal put forward by Ireland and Spain to suspend a cooperation agreement with Israel. However, prospects for unanimous support from all 27 nations appeared dim.
Meanwhile, both Britain and the United States have already implemented sanctions targeting a select group of “extremist” settlers in the region.
