EU calls for investigation into Gaza, West Bank killings

BRUSSELS, Oct 14 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) on Sunday urged all sides to act "with utmost restraint" to avoid further loss of life after at least six Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured during a large demonstration last week.
"We expect Israel respects the principle of necessity and proportionality in its use of force, and that Hamas and other extremist groups in Gaza do not exploit the demonstrations for other ends and ensure they remain strictly non-violent," said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, in a statement.
She noted that in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, a Palestinian woman was killed, in additon to three others Israeli civilians who lost their lives in recent days.
"All such incidents need to be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice," said the EU spokesperson.
She emphasized that "only a political solution can put an end to the violence, saying that the EU strongly appreciates and fully supports the efforts of the UN's Special Coordinator to work with with the international community to get a political process going again in Gaza." (end) nk.nam