EU’s Top Diplomat ‘Horrified’ by Israeli Airstrike on School
The EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, has denounced an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that has allegedly resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, has stated that Israel’s airstrike on a school in Gaza is unjustifiable. On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an attack that reportedly resulted in the deaths of around 100 people.
Borrell expressed his horror at the images emerging from the site, noting that the Tabeen school in central Gaza City had been used as a shelter for displaced individuals. Local authorities indicated that among the victims were women and children, and they warned that the death toll could increase as searches continue for those still trapped under the debris.
Media reports suggest that as many as 6,000 individuals may have been taking refuge in the school when it was struck by three Israeli missiles. West Jerusalem contended that it was targeting a “Hamas control center” located within the facility, whereas the Palestinian militant organization has denied having any base there.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Borrell stated, “At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There’s no justification for these massacres.” He expressed concern over the “terrible overall death toll” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The outbreak of fighting followed Hamas's surprise assault on Israel on October 7 of the previous year, during which militants killed about 1,100 people in an attack on Israeli settlements near Gaza and took over 200 hostages.
In retaliation, West Jerusalem initiated a bombing campaign and subsequent ground operations in Gaza, leading to approximately 39,800 Palestinian fatalities, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Borrell mentioned the toll as reaching 40,000 in his communications.
Earlier on Saturday, Moscow condemned the strike on the school, expressing that it is “deeply shaken” by the escalating situation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Israel to “refrain from attacks on civilian targets,” asserting that “there is no and can be no justification for such actions.”
Efforts at mediation for a truce between the conflicting parties have been undertaken by several nations, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. On Thursday, the White House released a joint statement from Washington, Doha, and Cairo, urging both sides to reach a ceasefire and negotiate the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the proposal, labeling it a “surrender” and a “dangerous trap,” remarks that provoked backlash in Washington. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stated that the Biden administration “won’t allow extremists to blow things off course.”
On Saturday, Borrell also took issue with Smotrich's stance, asserting, “A ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing of civilians and secure the hostages’ release.”
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Borrell expressed his horror at the images emerging from the site, noting that the Tabeen school in central Gaza City had been used as a shelter for displaced individuals. Local authorities indicated that among the victims were women and children, and they warned that the death toll could increase as searches continue for those still trapped under the debris.
Media reports suggest that as many as 6,000 individuals may have been taking refuge in the school when it was struck by three Israeli missiles. West Jerusalem contended that it was targeting a “Hamas control center” located within the facility, whereas the Palestinian militant organization has denied having any base there.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Borrell stated, “At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There’s no justification for these massacres.” He expressed concern over the “terrible overall death toll” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The outbreak of fighting followed Hamas's surprise assault on Israel on October 7 of the previous year, during which militants killed about 1,100 people in an attack on Israeli settlements near Gaza and took over 200 hostages.
In retaliation, West Jerusalem initiated a bombing campaign and subsequent ground operations in Gaza, leading to approximately 39,800 Palestinian fatalities, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Borrell mentioned the toll as reaching 40,000 in his communications.
Earlier on Saturday, Moscow condemned the strike on the school, expressing that it is “deeply shaken” by the escalating situation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Israel to “refrain from attacks on civilian targets,” asserting that “there is no and can be no justification for such actions.”
Efforts at mediation for a truce between the conflicting parties have been undertaken by several nations, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. On Thursday, the White House released a joint statement from Washington, Doha, and Cairo, urging both sides to reach a ceasefire and negotiate the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the proposal, labeling it a “surrender” and a “dangerous trap,” remarks that provoked backlash in Washington. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stated that the Biden administration “won’t allow extremists to blow things off course.”
On Saturday, Borrell also took issue with Smotrich's stance, asserting, “A ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing of civilians and secure the hostages’ release.”
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
