EU official calls for probe into civilian killings in Israeli attacks on Gaza

BRUSSELS (AA) – The European Union has urged a probe following the recent upsurge of violence in Gaza because innocent civilians, including children, were killed, an EU official said.

“There is a need (for investigation) because civilians have been harmed or killed, including children,” said Peter Stano, the lead spokesperson of the EU’s diplomatic service.

He expressed concern that scores were injured and over 40 people killed in the recent upsurge of attacks on Gaza.

According to the EU’s position, “it needs to be investigated what happened and why these people, who have nothing to do with anything, have been brought to harm’s way,” he explained.

The probe is also important to avoid casualties in the future that add up to the “unnecessary and unjustified suffering of the civilian population,” Stano added.

He also reminded that US President Joe Biden also called for a “timely and thorough” investigation into reports on civilian casualties.

Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes last week, citing an “imminent threat of attack” by the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad following rising tensions across the Palestinian territories after a leader of the group was arrested in a raid.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 44 Palestinians, including several children, were killed, while over 360 others injured in the airstrikes.

A tenuous cease-fire brokered by Egypt, between Israel and the Islamic Jihad took effect on August 7.