The European Union issued a condemnation of Hamas on Sunday, denouncing the group for employing “hospitals and civilians as human shields” within the Gaza Strip.

Expressing concern, the EU’s statement emphasized the imperative need for allowing civilians to evacuate the combat zone.

“The EU condemns the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas,” the statement read. “Civilians must be allowed to leave the combat zone. These hostilities are severely impacting hospitals and taking a horrific toll on civilians and medical staff.”

Israel has presented a substantial body of evidence detailing instances of Hamas using these medical facilities as shields, exploiting the tunnels beneath them for clandestine purposes.

“Hospitals must be supplied immediately with the most urgent medical supplies, and patients that require urgent medical care need to be evacuated safely,” the statement further added. “In this context, we urge Israel to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the protection of civilians.”

{Matzav.com}