EU says no evidence of aid to Palestinians diverted to Hamas

The EU said Tuesday that there is no evidence to show EU money for Palestinians has been diverted to Hamas.

"The review has shown that the Commission controls and existing safeguards in place ... work well and no evidence has been found to date that money has been diverted for unintended purposes," the European Commission said in a statement.

It came after the Commission's review of EU financial assistance for Palestine which was announced two days after the Palestinian resistance group attacked Israel in early October.

The statement noted that support will continue to be implemented with organizations that have provided the clarifications requested and reassurances on the safeguards in place.

"This review has confirmed that the safeguards in place are effective. Work is now ongoing on the design of our future support to the Palestinians in view of the changing and still evolving situation," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the statement.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the cross-border attack last month.

Authorities in Gaza said Monday that the death toll from the Israeli attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 has jumped to more than 14,100, including 5,840 children and 3,920 women.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.