Brussels / PNN/ 

The European Union (EU) Wednesday voiced concern over escalating violence in the West Bank, particularly on the ongoing Israeli military aggression on Jenin and Tulkarm.

“Concerned over escalating violence in the West Bank, particularly the Israeli military operation in Jenin and Tulkarm, involving unnecessary and disproportionate use of force,” the European Union Delegation to Palestinians said on its official X account.

The EU condemned Israeli colonist construction and colonists’ violence.

“The weekly advancement of settlements since December and the rise in violent settler attacks are alarming,” it said while reiterating that “Settlements are illegal according to international law and constitute an obstacle to peace.”

The EU stressed the need for Israel, the occupying power, to “stop settlement expansion and legalisation, prevent settler violence, evictions and forced transfers, and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.”

It pointed out that the tightened movement restrictions manifest in the complex combination of approximately 898 checkpoints and gates as well as road closures in the occupied West Bank largely obstruct the daily life of Palestinians, restrict their access to basic services, and slammed such measures as intended to undermine stability.