EU freezes millions of dollars of funds to Palestinian authorities after 'terror' and 'brutality' enacted by Hamas

The EU reportedly announced on Monday that it would be freezing the supply of hundreds of millions of euros in aid for Palestinian authorities after Hamas' attacks against Israel over the weekend.

Austria and Germany were among the countries that have voiced approval of the recent measures by the EU. Oliver Varhelyi, EU commissioner, expressed that the EU strongly supports Israel in the conflict, adding that the small country has the right to defend itself, so long as it does not violate international law, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Varhelyi posted to X, writing: "•All payments immediately suspended. •All projects put under review. •All new budget proposals, incl. for 2023 postponed until further notice. •Comprehensive assessment of the whole portfolio."

He went on to say: "The foundations for peace, tolerance and co-existence must now be addressed. Incitement to hatred, violence and glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of too many. We need action and we need it now."

The report noted that the EU considers Hamas to be a terror group, adding that the EU has stressed that no money is going to the extremist group. The amount of support that has been put on pause comes in around 691 million euros, or about $730 million.

The EU has insisted that it is the largest supporter of the Palestinian people and that it has been advocating for the two-state approach, which was previously suggested by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun, who said that it is important to consider returning to the "two-state solution."

The report noted that EU foreign ministers are expected to get together in Muscat, Oman, on Tuesday to discuss how to proceed given the circumstances. However, Varhelyi said that there can be "no business as usual."

Reuters reported that the recent attack by Hamas — which has resulted in 700 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries — is the deadliest such incident since the Yom Kippur War that took place half a century ago.

In response, Israel has carried out its own deadly response, killing more than 400 people with its onslaught of attacks on Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the current conflict in the Middle East is a war. And Israel's defense minister recently ordered the complete siege of Gaza.

No talks of a ceasefire have taken place.

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