European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that she had spoken to Israeli president Isaac Herzog to convey her “full support”.
“I reiterate that Israel has the right to self-defence,” she wrote on Twitter, formerly X.
Von der Leyen added that she condemned “in the strongest possible terms, the senseless attack perpetrated against Israel by Hamas. This violence is neither a political solution nor an act of bravery. It is pure terrorism.”
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said following a call with US secretary of state Antony Blinken and the foreign ministers of the UK, Germany and Italy on Saturday that the group was “united” in condemning the attacks.
“Protection of civilians is of utmost priority. Hostages must be released,” he said.