EU: Climbing human cost, wide-scale destruction in Gaza 'unbearable'

The European Union's top diplomat says he is dismayed at the "unbearable" climbing human cost and wide-scale destruction caused by the ongoing US-Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made the remarks at a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on the sidelines of EU-Jordan Association Council in Brussels on Monday.

"The constant rise of the number of civilian casualties…is unbearable and underlines the urgency of establishing a ceasefire and working to find a durable solution," Borrell said.

He said the EU will continue to work with Jordan and other Arab countries to help end the Gaza conflict.

Borrell said Gaza was one of the "most important and pressing" issues in the region given its geographical significance for Jordan. Gaza, he said, was also significant to the EU from a political and humanitarian point of view.

The top EU diplomat said Israel's massive bombing with heavy death toll in the al-Mawasi refugee camp in southern Gaza on Saturday is unacceptable.

At least 90 people were killed and almost 300 others were injured in the July 13 Israeli aerial assault on the densely-populated camp near Khan Yunis.

Borrell also slammed Israel's bombing of a UN-run school for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday, which killed 15 people and injured 80.

Israeli warplanes kill 15, injure 80 in UNRWA school in Nuseirat refugee camp

Israeli forces have targeted UNRWA-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring 80 others.

He commended Jordan's "tireless" efforts to promote peace and stability and bring aid into the war-stricken Gaza, for instance through the Jordan Corridor and transport hubs in Amman and Aqaba. 

He also condemned the repeated attacks by Israeli extremist settlers on Jordanian humanitarian convoys, saying, "Today, we have adopted further sanctions against these violent settlers, including the organisation that called for attacking the Jordanian convoys."

The European Union underscores the need to preserve UNRWA’s irreplaceable role throughout the region, particularly in Jordan, he said.

"We reject any attempts to label UNRWA as a ‘terrorist organisation’. How can a United Nations’ agency be considered a terrorist organisation? And we will continue – along with other international donors - supporting and funding UNRWA," Borrell stated.

Gaza incidents catastrophe, disgrace to international community: Safadi

The Jordanian foreign minister, for his part, said the ongoing incidents in the Gaza Strip are "a catastrophe and a disgrace to the international community" which "must stop immediately".

Safadi warned that the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip threatens the region and undermines peace efforts.

He said a two-state solution is the only way to achieve security and stability in the region, adding that Jordan will continue its efforts to put an end to the suffering of the people of Palestine in Gaza and achieve a ceasefire.

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