EU backtracks on suspending aid to Palestinians

The European Commission said it is not suspending aid payments to Palestinians, directly contradicting one of its official's comments made earlier in the day.

The Commission did say that it was launching a review of its assistance, following Hamas's attack on Israel over the weekend.

"In the meantime, as there were no payments foreseen, there will be no suspension of payments," the Commission said in a statement.

Janez Lenarcic, the commissioner on crisis management, said on social media: "EU humanitarian aid to #Palestinians in need will continue as long as needed."

Earlier on Monday, Oliver Varhelyi, another European commissioner, said the Commission was suspending payments on its entire portfolio of development aid for Palestinians and placing it under review.