The new head of European diplomacy debuts in Jerusalem with a lukewarm criticism of Israel's new offensive.

Brussels"Proportionality," but without any reference to compliance with international law. This was the lukewarm demand of Kaja Kallas on her first trip to Israel as head of European Union diplomacy. Coinciding with the Israeli offensive that has reopened the Gaza war, Kallas insisted on the European argument that the Israeli government "has the right to defend itself." At a press conference in Jerusalem, accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Kallas ignored the European Union's demand that Israel comply with international and humanitarian law. However, she lamented "the dangerous escalation of violence" in recent days and asserted that "the only way" to end the war is to "resume negotiations." Although she avoided blaming either side for the breakdown of the ceasefire and lamented the "uncertainty" this situation causes for the families of the hostages. "Violence breeds violence," the community leader stressed, also expressing concern—with less emphasis—for "the death and horror that the Palestinian people face".

According to the Ministry of Health of the Strip, More than 50,000 Palestinians have died due to Israeli attacks. Last Tuesday, Israel broke the ceasefire and launched a new offensive against the Palestinian territory. During the press conference, the Israeli foreign minister justified the new attacks against the Palestinians and called for "the demilitarization of Gaza and the withdrawal of the armed forces of Hamas and Islamic Jihad." At this point, Hamas still holds around 60 hostages.

On the other hand, the head of European diplomacy welcomed the Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza and expressed her willingness to contribute to it. She also assured that the European Union "can help" in the conflict with greater humanitarian assistance or "restoring its mission at the Rafah border crossing."

Beyond meeting with the Israeli foreign minister, Kallas also met with families of Israeli hostages and is scheduled to visit the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. She will also meet with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa.