EU split as senior official condemns Israel over Gaza air strikes

A senior European Union official has openly condemned Israel’s renewed bombardment of Gaza, warning that Europe “needs a chance for peace, not excuses for new strikes.”

European Commission vice president Teresa Ribera made the remark on social media, sharply departing from the EU’s usual neutral language. She is one of the few high-level EU figures to describe Israel’s assault as “genocide” in recent weeks.

The Commission itself refused to name Israel while addressing the attacks. Spokesman Anouar El Anouni simply urged “all parties” to respect the ceasefire and avoid any actions that could “jeopardise the agreement.”

Gaza’s civil defence says more than 100 Palestinians, including at least 35 children, were killed in the latest overnight air strikes, which Israel claimed without evidence were aimed at Hamas targets.

EU diplomats remain deeply divided, with some capitals still shielding Israel diplomatically despite mounting civilian deaths.