JERUSALEM, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 (WAFA) – European Union Representative in Jerusalem Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff said today that a bulldozer dragging the body of a dead Palestinian in Gaza goes counter to all principles of human dignity.

An Israeli army bulldozer was filmed on Sunday dragging the body of a Palestinian shot dead by Israeli soldiers on the Gaza border with Israel. The incident has prompted violent reaction from Palestinians in Gaza who fired a barrage of rockets into southern Israel with the latter responding with airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip.

“No one should be witnessing scenes like that one when a military bulldozer drags away a lifeless body. This is something that goes counter to all principles of human dignity and respect,” said von Burgsdorff.

The EU official also called for a de-escalation in the fighting across the Gaza border.

“The EU has consistently reiterated on numerous occasions, that the destructive cycle of violence and counter-violence has to come to an end,” he said. “De-escalation is now imperative, not least to preserve lives of the citizens of Gaza and to relieve their suffering.”

After two days of cross border fighting, Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed last night to a ceasefire.

M.K.