The European Commission made an announcement on Monday regarding the suspension of development aid to Palestine due to recent events in Israel.

EU Commissioner for Neighborhood, Oliver Varhelyi, stated that the EU, recognized as the largest donor to the Palestinians, would temporarily halt its “complete development portfolio” valued at €691 million ($729 million).

Varhelyi emphasized that the extensive violence directed against Israel and its people marks a significant turning point.

He underlined, “There can be no continuation of business as usual.”

Prominent EU figures, including European Council Chief Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, vehemently condemned the numerous indiscriminate attacks carried out by Hamas across Israel over the weekend.

The Gaza-based resistance group, Hamas, initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel on Saturday, launching a series of rocket attacks. Hamas asserted that the surprise offensive was in response to the incursion of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and escalated settler aggression.

In retaliation, the Israeli military commenced Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Health Ministry reported that at least 800 Israelis have lost their lives, with over 2,300 individuals sustaining injuries in the conflict.

The Palestinian Health Ministry indicated that over 560 Palestinians have lost their lives, while over 2,900 others have suffered injuries.

Source: with agencies