EU’s foreign policy chief urges Israel to use its right to self-defense in accordance with Int'l law

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday urged Israel to exercise its right to self-defense in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.

“If we condemn all attacks against civilians, and all means all, (we) call for the protection of civilians and remind the obligation of fulfilling universal principles of international humanitarian law. It means that when (on) the ground, Israel has the right to defend – certainly it does – but it has to be implemented in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law,” he said at a joint press conference with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem Al Budaiwi and Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Al Busaidi in Muscat, Oman’s capital.

“And we call for the release of hostages, and we call for the access to food, water, medicines which is also according to international humanitarian law; and we call for a need for a political solution, that could avoid once and again this cycle of violence,” he added.

Borrell also stressed the importance the EU attaches to the two-state solution for the Palestine-Israel dispute.

The Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported on Tuesday night that Israeli officials believe that more than 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas attacks on towns near the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Saturday, with fighters infiltrating Israeli towns near Gaza amid heavy rocket fire.

Israel retaliated with a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and imposed a total blockade on the territory, home to nearly 2.2 million people.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 830 Palestinians were killed and 4,250 others injured in the Israeli bombardment of the strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to use all of Israel’s strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and “take revenge for this black day.”