The European Union has warned of an "upsurge of settler terrorism in the West Bank" amid the current Mideast conflict.
"The upsurge of settler terrorism in the West Bank has led to very high numbers of civilian casualties and Palestinian communities being forced out of their homes. The situation could get out of control and is causing unspeakable suffering to local communities," according to a statement issued Tuesday by the bloc.
The statement called for urgent measures, and cited Israel's "duty to protect civilians in the West Bank from extremist settler violence, to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure that the IDF (Israeli army) intervenes."
"It is a legal obligation that must be fulfilled," the statement stressed. "This adds to an already tragic situation in Gaza, increasing the risk of dangerous escalation of the conflict, which must be avoided at all costs."
Tension has been running high across the West Bank amid a massive Israeli bombardment campaign on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The death toll in the occupied region rose to 130 on Wednesday since Oct. 7, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
Palestinian news agency Wafa also said that Israeli bulldozers started demolishing walls and tearing through streets. They vandalized civilian vehicles in the city and a camp amid the deafening roar of violent explosions, it said.
The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.
The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 8,525, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.
More than 1,538 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.
