EU’s Mogherini issues harsher statement on rocket fire from Gaza. ‘These attacks provoke unspeakable suffering to the Israelis,’ she said

Yossi Lempkowicz

6 years ago

’Indiscriminate rocket attacks from Palestinian militants in Gaza must stop immediately’’ and stressed that the European Union ‘’reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel.’’

BRUSSELS—The European Union on Sunday issued a second, this time harsher, statement on the rocket fire from Gaza and the escalation between Israel and the Palestinian terror groups.

Some 700 rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since the security situation escalated over the weekend. Four people have been confirmed dead and several more are in critical condition. Dozens have been wounded.

This time the statement was from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini herself- and not from an EU spokesperson. In her statement, Mogherini said ’indiscriminate rocket attacks from Palestinian militants in Gaza must stop immediately’’ and stressed that the European Union ‘’reiterates its fundamental commitment to the security of Israel.’’

‘’We express our condolences to the family of all the victims and to the Israeli people, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. These attacks provoke unspeakable suffering to the Israelis and serve only the cause of endless violence and of an endless conflict,’’ she added.

Mogherini warned that a new escalation ‘’risks also to reverse the work to relieve the suffering of the people in Gaza who are already paying a high price with many victims that we mourn.’’

‘’And it puts in further danger the prospects for long-term solutions, which will require the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, credible security guarantees for Israel and a lifting of restrictions of access and movement,’’ Mogherini stated.

She concluded that the EU ‘’reiterates its full support to the push of Egypt and the United Nations to reduce tensions in Gaza and expect the parties to work with them to restore calm.’’ ‘’Together with the international community, we will keep working to bring relief to all those suffering from this conflict and cooperating with those who serve the cause of peace,’’ she said.