BRUSSELS, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Antonio Costa on Friday called on Israel to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City.
"Such a decision must have consequences for EU-Israel relations, to be assessed by the Council," he warned on social media platform X, noting that the situation in Gaza remains dramatic, and the decision will only further worsen it.
Israel's Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement earlier on Friday.
"I strongly urge the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to take over Gaza City," Costa said.
Israel's takeover, along with continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, large-scale destruction in Gaza, the blockade of aid and the spread of famine, "undermines fundamental principles of international law and universal values," he said.
"The two-state solution remains the only sustainable, long-term solution for peace and security in Israel and the region," Costa noted. ■
