The European Union (EU) expressed grave concern on Saturday regarding the intensifying violence in the occupied Palestine, and urged the Israeli occupation to reserve the use of deadly force only as a last resort.

“The European Union fully recognizes Israel’s legitimate security concerns, as evidenced by the latest terrorist attacks, but it has to be stressed that lethal force must only be used as a last resort when it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life,” said the bloc’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell.

Since the beginning of 2023, Israeli forces have taken the lives of 32 Palestinians, after 2022 proved to be the deadliest year in the West Bank since the Second Intifada.

Seven Israeli settlers were fatally shot and three more were injured on Friday night. The Attack came as response from Palestinians after a deadly raid by Israeli occupation forces in Jenin that left at least 9 Palestinians dead.