EU reaffirms opposition to demographic or territorial changes in Gaza

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Union reiterated on Thursday its firm opposition to any demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and its support for Gaza’s unification with the occupied West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking at a briefing in Brussels, EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc's position "has not changed" and emphasized that it is based on international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 2735.

"EU rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and supports unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority," he said.

He also cited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's November 2023 remarks stressing that Gaza is "an essential part of the future Palestinian state" and that "there should be no forced displacement of Palestinians."

The Israeli army has killed nearly 57,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages and the spread of disease.​​​​​​​

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.