EU's Costa joins list of figures lambasting Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City

The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, has condemned the Israeli cabinet's decision to take over Gaza City.

"I strongly urge the Israeli government to reconsider," the Portguese lawyer and politician said in a staement posted on X.

"Such a decision must have consequences for EU-Israel relations," he added. 

Costa's statement matched European Commision President Ursula von der Leyen's earlier response to the Israeli decision, which similarly urged Israel to "reconsider".

Echoing standard EU policy, Costa added: "the two-state solution remains the only sustainable, long-term solution for peace and security in Israel and the region."

I strongly urge the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to take over Gaza City. Such an operation — together with the continued illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank, the massive destruction in Gaza, the blockade of humanitarian aid, and the spread of famine…

— António Costa (@eucopresident) August 8, 2025