On Tuesday 13 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called for an in-depth investigation into the bomb attack on the convoy of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah's as he was entering the Gaza Strip. The attack left seven slightly wounded and has not yet been claimed.
"A thorough investigation into this incident is (...) essential so that perpetrators can be brought to justice and held accountable", Mogherini stated in a press release. "This incident can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine recent efforts to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under one legitimate Palestinian Authority", she said. She added that "those who work to exacerbate divisions through violence are working against the interest of the people of Gaza and of all Palestinians".
Alongside this, Mogherini hailed "the courageous efforts by Prime Minister Hamdallah and others, who continue to work to improve the situation for people on the ground and towards Palestinian unity, which is an important element for reaching the two-state solution and lasting peace".
On 12 October 2017, Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement, which this attack could now damage (see EUROPE 11896).
Coming to participate in the inauguration of a wastewater treatment plant, Hamdallah cut short his rare visit to the Gaza Strip, which is still under the authority of Hamas. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)