The European Union's national leaders back Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law, they said in a statement issued on Sunday.
"The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel and deeply deplores the loss of lives," said the statement from the European Council, which brings together the leaders of the bloc's 27-member countries.
While many EU leaders have issued statements on the Hamas attack since it took place just over a week ago, Sunday's was the first by the European Council as a whole.
"There is no justification for terror. We strongly emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law in the face of such violent and indiscriminate attacks," the statement added.
"We reiterate the importance to ensure the protection of all civilians at all times in line with International Humanitarian Law."