By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - The Gaza Strip is in complete blackout and isolation in violation of international humanitarian law, the EU’s foreign policy chief warned Saturday.
"Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues. UNRWA warns about the desperate situation of Gaza people without electricity, food, water," Josep Borrell wrote on X.
"Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law," he said.
Borrell requested an urgent pause in hostilities to enable humanitarian access.
The bloc condemns all attacks against civilians, "including continuing indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel, and we ask the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," he added.
Gaza has been under relentless Israeli airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The Palestinian group had initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air raids, which intensified Friday night along with ground activities amid a complete blackout of telecommunications and internet networks.
At least 7,703 Palestinians, including 3,595 children, have been killed in the Israeli attacks, while the death toll in Israel stands at more than 1,400.
Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point with Egypt last weekend.
The UN General Assembly late Friday approved a resolution that called for a humanitarian truce.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called it “despicable” and rejected the resolution.