EU denounces 'abhorrent' Israeli strikes on civilian targets in Gaza

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has condemned Israel's "abhorrent" attacks on civilian targets in Gaza, including yesterday's deadly attack on a school which killed 33 people.

"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," von der Leyen said, according to an EU readout of the call.

"The European Commission has always supported -- and will continue to support -- Israel's right to security and self-defence," she said.

Von der Leyen demanded that Israel "immediately restore aid delivery in line with humanitarian principles, with the participation of the UN and other international humanitarian partners".

Von der Leyen's comments come a week after the EU launched a review of its association agreement with Israel over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza, after 17 of its 27 member states backed the move.

Throughout Israel's war on Gaza which started in October 2023, von der Leyen has repeatedly voiced support for Israel and affirmed its "right to defend itself".

In May 2024, the Geneva International Peace Research Institute (GIPRI)  called on the ICC  to investigate von der Leyen for alleged “complicity in war crimes and genocide committed by Israel”.