The European Union has expressed deep concern over what it describes as a rapidly deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, citing a sharp escalation in violence carried out by Israeli settlers.

In a statement released on Friday, the EU said recent days have seen a marked increase in attacks, including acts of intimidation and the destruction of Palestinian homes and property.

One of the most serious incidents, according to the EU, occurred on Wednesday in the village of Kafr Malik, near Ramallah, where three Palestinian civilians were reportedly killed by Israeli settlers.

The EU has called for an immediate end to such attacks and urged Israeli authorities to take "concrete measures to prevent settler violence against Palestinians and to ensure accountability for those responsible, especially under the current difficult circumstances."

The bloc warned that failure to act would only further destabilise an already volatile environment.

Reiterating its established position, the EU stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law and constitute a significant barrier to peace.

The warning comes amid broader international concerns over rising tensions across the region, including ongoing violence in Gaza and mounting instability in the West Bank. (ILKHA)