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European Union Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said Monday that the bloc is suspending "all payments" to Palestinians because of Hamas attacks against Israel.
The surprise announcement from Varhelyi came just hours after EU officials stressed that no EU money would go to Hamas in the first place and that contacts had been frozen for 16 years. The EU considers Hamas a terrorist group.
Questions about what the measure entailed and whether it would hit all humanitarian aid to the Palestinians were not answered.
Varhelyi said that "as the biggest donor to the Palestinians, the European Commission is reviewing its full development portfolio", which he said amounts to 691 million euros. It was not immediately clear which funds were included and excluded.
" All payments (to be suspended) immediately. All projects are under consideration. All new budget proposals ... are postponed until further notice ," he added.
EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Muscat, Oman, on Tuesday to discuss the situation and see what action needs to be taken. Varhelyi's announcement appeared to preempt the discussions.
"There can be no business as usual. Now the foundations for peace, tolerance and coexistence must be addressed. The incitement of hatred, violence and glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of many," Varhelyi said on X, formerly known as Twitter .
During a conference earlier on Monday, the EU Commission sought to draw a clear line between Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization, and the Palestinian people, who need humanitarian aid.
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