In response to the unexpected attack by Hamas militants on Israel, the Austrian government declared on Monday that it was halting development assistance to Palestinian regions.
Israel, which was stunned by the unprecedented attack on its territory, has recorded over 700 fatalities and launched a torrent of airstrikes on Gaza that have caused more than 430 deaths there.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told public radio station Oe1, “We will halt all payments for development aid temporarily.”
He said that the decision will have an impact on $20 million worth of help.
In addition, Schallenberg stated that Austria would assess any initiatives involving Palestinian territories and engage with the European Union and its allies.
“The scale of the terror is so horrendous. It’s such a fracture that one cannot go back to business as usual,” he added.
In response to the unexpected attack by Hamas militants on Israel, the Austrian government declared on Monday that it was halting development assistance to Palestinian regions.
Israel, which was stunned by the unprecedented attack on its territory, has recorded over 700 fatalities and launched a torrent of airstrikes on Gaza that have caused more than 430 deaths there.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told public radio station Oe1, “We will halt all payments for development aid temporarily.“
He said that the decision will have an impact on $20 million worth of help.
In addition, Schallenberg stated that Austria would assess any initiatives involving Palestinian territories and engage with the European Union and its allies.
AFP
