BRUSSELS

The European Commission on Tuesday reiterated its stance that Gaza must be an integral part of a future Palestinian state, underlining the urgency of facilitating humanitarian aid and achieving a sustainable cease-fire in the war-torn enclave.

Speaking at the midday briefing, EU Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the situation on the ground in Gaza "remains unbearable," calling for immediate efforts to ensure humanitarian access and de-escalation.

"This is why it's very positive that the UN-Israel has reached an understanding on access to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," she said, adding that while there are "positive developments on some key parameters," much more needs to be done.

Hipper stressed that the EU’s position is clear: "(It) clear here that Gaza must be an integral part of the future Palestinian state."

She emphasized that the bloc firmly rejects any attempts to alter the territory's demographic or geographic status, including "when it comes to the Israeli occupation of Gaza."

Asked why the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is silent on Gaza, Hipper responded that she "has been extremely vocal," pointing to her public statements and social media posts.

Responding to a question on whether Kallas believes starvation is taking place in the Palestinian enclave, Hipper did not directly confirm but said: "The High Representative has been very clear and strongly coming out on the situation when it comes to the killings, to the humanitarian disasters ... the unbearable, unattainable images that we have seen that are indefensible."

Israel has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza since October 2023, according to health authorities.

The continuous air and ground assault has devastated the enclave and a blockade and poor distribution of aid led to extreme food shortages, resulting in starvation deaths. The Health Ministry says at least 188 people, including 94 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began nearly two years ago.