‘People killed begging for food, mothers holding lifeless babies’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is seeking sanctions against “extremist” Israeli ministers and the partial suspension of a trade agreement with Israel.
Speaking in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen suggested the commission may temporarily stop its support for Israel, noting the move would not affect its cooperation with Israeli civil society and the Holocaust memorial centre Yad Vashem.
The EU leader also announced plans to establish a Palestine donor group next month, which is to include an instrument for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Von der Leyen also warned Israel that famine cannot be used as “a weapon of war”.
“What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world: people killed while begging for food, mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.”
Qatar strike doesn’t change stance on Israel, Germany says
Germany’s government says the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unacceptable, but it won’t change German support for Israel.
“You know our basic stance on the Israeli state, and nothing has changed,” a government spokesperson told journalists during a regular news conference.
When asked about the European Commission’s proposal to suspend trade-related measures in an EU agreement with Israel, the spokesperson said there had not yet been a majority for these proposed measures in the European Council.
While continuing to back what he called Israel’s “right to defend itself” and the release of captives held by Hamas, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last month that Germany could no longer ignore the worsening toll on Gaza civilians.
China adds to chorus of condemnation over Israel’s attack on Qatar
Beijing says it strongly condemns this attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, noting it violates Qatar’s sovereignty and security.
China is enormously worried about this spiralling out of control into a larger conflict that affects the entire Middle East. It called for all parties to return to the negotiating table, stating force cannot bring peace to the Middle East – dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental solution to this war.
Now, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson was also asked about the US being informed about these attacks beforehand, and while Beijing didn’t refer directly to the United States, it says it blames the tensions on longstanding, “seriously imbalanced positions” from countries outside the region.
It’s calling on all major nations to do more to promote a ceasefire in the war-battered Gaza Strip.
