Europe’s crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib on Tuesday issued a grim warning over Israel’s expanding military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
“Gaza is on the brink of famine. Aid is blocked, airdrops are ineffective & new NGO re-registration rules risk worsening the crisis,” Lahbib said, adding that “a full Israeli military takeover would be catastrophic: mass casualties, collapsed services & hostages at risk.”
Lahbib is the second EU commissioner in recent days to publicly denounce Israel’s actions. Last Tuesday, European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to push for full control over the Gaza Strip as an “unacceptable provocation.”
Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its war on Hamas militants in Gaza, where it has reportedly killed nearly 61,500 people since October 2023. A violent attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 killed some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and around 250 people were captured by Hamas and other groups and taken into Gaza, triggering retaliation from the Israel Defense Forces.
Lahbib has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics among the EU’s College of Commissioners about Israel’s Gaza offensive, previously warning of a “man-made famine,” pressing for a ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access.
In recent weeks, the European Commission has adopted a markedly tougher stance toward Israel, proposing to suspend its participation in the Horizon Europe scientific program.
Meanwhile, several member countries have pushed for targeted sanctions and the suspension of the trade chapter of the EU–Israel Association Agreement.
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