“Israeli government seizes land in West Bank,” says EU foreign policy chief

LONDON

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank as “worse than ever” and said the Israeli government was taking over land in the West Bank.

In a statement to the press after attending the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Washington, Borrell highlighted the deteriorating conditions on the ground, calling the situation “unbearable”.

Borrell’s statements come at a time of heightened tension and international concern over the actions of the Israeli government in the West Bank.

He specifically criticized Israel’s recent land takeovers, stating: “The Israeli government is taking over land in the West Bank. I am sure that the G7 ministerial meeting will condemn this land takeover – which is against international law – by the Netanyahu government.”

Borrell stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that Israel has recognized most of the West Bank as “Israeli land” since the Oslo Accords.

According to Borrell, the move undermines prospects for peace and violates international law.

He also noted that Israel collects taxes from the Palestinian Authority, which increases the financial burden on the region.

Borrell called for immediate international intervention, stressing the need for a multi-faceted approach to resolving the crisis. “I think the voice of humanity must prevail: free the hostages, ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and seek a political solution based on the two-state solution,” he said.

Israel, in disregard of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, has faced international condemnation over its brutal offensive on Gaza since 7 October 2023.

Since then, more than 38,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and nearly 88,300 injured, according to local health authorities.

Nine months after the start of the Israeli war, vast swaths of Gaza lie in ruins due to a crippling lack of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel has been accused of genocide by the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians sought refuge from the war before the May 6 invasion.

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