Iran Press/ Europe: The European Union said it is suspending all funding to Palestinian institutions including the Palestinian Authority, which partially governs the West Bank, in response to this weekend’s attack by Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced that the European Commission is putting its full development portfolio totaling €691 million under review, with all payments immediately suspended.
“The foundations for peace, tolerance and co-existence must now be addressed. Incitement to hatred, violence and glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of too many,” the Hungarian commissioner said. “We need action and we need it now.”
Members of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee are due to meet tomorrow to discuss the attacks on Saturday and the consequences for the wider region.
The Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Quds and increased settler violence.
The number of Palestinians martyred by the Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 493, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Monday amid ongoing fighting.
At least 700 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. 219
