EU Chief Says Hamas Attack an 'Act of War,' Backs Full Review of Palestinian Aid

"We have to be clear in defining this kind of horror," she said. "And there can only be one response to it. Europe stands with Israel. And we fully support Israel's right to defend itself."

Addressing the start of a meeting of European commissioners, von der Leyen also supported a full review of the EU's multi-million-euro financial support for Palestinian projects.

On Saturday, Hamas militants stormed Israel's border around the Gaza enclave and launched attacks on civilian and military targets, leaving more than 1,200 dead.