EU envoy claims IDF Jenin operation violated international law, while UN chief condemns the use of 'excessive force'

European Union official Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff accused the Jewish state of violating international law with “disproportionate” use of force against the terrorist network entrenched in the area after touring the West Bank city of Jenin.

Israeli forces eliminated at least 11 terrorists during its largest counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank in more than two decades. 

“We are concerned about the deployment of weaponry and weapons systems, which question the proportionality of the military during the operation,” stated Burgsdorff while visiting the Jenin area. 

The EU official called the Israeli military operation “painful” and accused Israel of perpetuating a “cycle of violence.” 

“This cycle of violence has to end, it cannot continue. If there is no political solution to the conflict, we are going to stand here in a week’s time, in a month’s time, in a year’s time, with nothing changed,” claimed Burgsdorff.

However, the EU official did not comment on the Palestinian Authority's role in failing to prevent Jenin from becoming a center of anti-Israel terrorism.

Leni Stenseth, deputy commissioner-general of the UNWRA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said funds were needed to rebuild the camp outside Jenin, where the terrorists are concentrated.

“To restore services and scale up support to the children, we need cash… our appeal is desperately underfunded,” Stenseth said. 

“I would urge you to consider announcing your support for the work we are going to do here in Jenin camp in the coming weeks and months, as soon as possible,” she added.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Wednesday that it “will provide $15 million.”

The UAE normalized its ties with Israel in 2020 and has since increased trade and commercial investment in the Jewish state.

In addition, Algeria, a country that currently opposes normalization with Israel, said it would provide $30 million in assistance to “help rebuild the Palestinian city of Jenin after the barbaric and criminal attack.”

Most of the fighting during the IDF's Operation Home and Garden took place in a refugee camp outside of Jenin, with a population of almost 20,000. 

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres doubled down on his accusation that Israel used “excessive force” during the military operation in Jenin.

The UN chief recently claimed that “there was an excessive force used by Israeli forces” during the IDF counter-terrorism operation.

A spokesperson for the UN chief stressed that Guterres “stands by those views.” 

The UN spokesperson said, rather than commenting directly on new accusations of alleged Israeli “war crimes,” it was best “decided upon by competent judicial bodies.” 

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan recently demanded that the UN chief retract his accusation of “excessive” Israeli force in Jenin and condemn the anti-Israel terrorism. 

“The international community and the Security Council must unconditionally condemn the latest Palestinian terror attacks and hold Palestinian leadership accountable,” Erdan wrote in an official letter.

“Israel will not stand idle while terrorists continue to harm civilians, using Jenin Camp as their hideout,” added the letter.