Brussels, 30/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 28 June, the EU once again called for the release of the three students kidnapped on 12 June in the West Bank. It also called on Israel to “exclusively use proportionate means to ensure their return”. At least five Palestinians, including a child, have been killed and more than 380 Palestinians arrested. The city of Hebron has been turned into a “closed military zone” which its inhabitants are not allowed to leave. On 20 June, the United Nations said that it was concerned at the way in which the rescue operations were being conducted.
High Representative Catherine Ashton has deplored the violence that has broken out in the West Bank, following the abduction and has condemned the recent rocket attacks fired blindly from the Gaza Strip.
Ashton congratulated the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, for his “unequivocal condemnation” of the kidnapping and welcomed the cooperation of the Palestinian security services in the search for the kidnapped individuals. Ashton, however, described the statements made by certain Hamas leaders, glorifying the authors of the kidnapping, as unacceptable.
She called on all parties to show restraint and prevent any further escalation that could make the situation worse. She pointed out that the recent kidnappings underlined the urgent need to resume peace negotiations. (CG)