By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - The European Union’s assistance to Palestine will continue without suspension, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday.
The announcement came in response to concerns that any suspension of payments would adversely affect the Palestinian population and potentially encourage terrorist activities in the region.
"The review of the EU's assistance for Palestine announced by the European Commission will not suspend the due payments, as clarified by the Commission’s press release," Borrell said on X.
"The suspension of the payments -- punishing all the Palestinian people -- would have damaged the EU interests in the region and would have only further emboldened terrorists," he added.
Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said: "While I most strongly condemn the terrorist attack by #Hamas, it is imperative to protect civilians and respect IHL (international humanitarian law). EU humanitarian aid to #Palestinians in need will continue as long as needed."
The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence.
In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 687, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said Monday. It said the number of injured had surged to 2,900.
At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to local media.