European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera has delivered the European Union's most severe denunciation of Israeli military operations since the Gaza War began, declaring that the devastation in Gaza "looks very much like genocide" while accusing Israeli forces of systematically targeting Palestinian civilians for extermination.
Speaking to Politico's Brussels Playbook on Thursday, Ribera stated, "What we are seeing is a concrete population being targeted, killed and condemned to starve to death. A concrete population is confined, with no homes – being destroyed – no food, water, or medicines – being forbidden to access – and subject to bombing and shooting even when they are trying to get humanitarian aid. Any humanity is absent, and no witness[es] are allowed."
The Spanish socialist leader concluded her unprecedented accusation by declaring, "If it is not genocide, it looks very much like the definition used to express its meaning," according to Politico. Israel Hayom hasn't yet received a response to its inquiry on the matter from the European Union.
This explosive condemnation followed Ribera's earlier assault on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported strategy to secure comprehensive authority over the Gaza Strip, which she branded an "unacceptable provocation" through social media channels.
"No excuses. The demands are simple and obvious: liberation of hostages, ceasefire, full access to humanitarian aid, full respect to human rights, transparency, and condemn of the horrifying use of violence and starvation," Ribera wrote on Bluesky on Tuesday.
During discussions with top-level security officials on Tuesday, Netanyahu reportedly endorsed broadening Israel's current military operations to secure authority over the entire territory, potentially endangering the lives of captives detained by Hamas. The gathering sought to complete preparations for a proposal to present before the entire cabinet within days.
Ribera represents Spain's governing Socialist party, whose members have consistently denounced Israel's conflict with Hamas and recently announced their support for Palestinian statehood. On July 30, she criticized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners for their failure to confront Gaza's worsening humanitarian emergency, declaring that "history will not look the other way."
"We are in a race against time, with people dying of hunger," Ribera stated during the previous week. "Europe must react and consolidate itself as a political actor … And mobilize the principles that inspired the construction of the European project."
The comprehensive control proposal emerges following the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas distributing footage on Saturday depicting severely emaciated Israeli hostage Evayatr David excavating what he described as his future burial site. Several days before, Hamas affiliate Palestinian Islamic Jihad similarly released recordings of hostage Rom Braslevski, displaying his emaciated condition and emotional distress. Western leadership condemned both recordings.
During Tuesday's media briefing, the European Commission reaffirmed its position rejecting "any attempts to change the territorial or demographic situation in Gaza." Spokesperson Anitta Hipper stated: "Our position is also clear here, that Gaza must be an integral part of the future Palestinian state."
