One of the European Union's most senior officials on Thursday called the war in Gaza “genocide,” stepping up criticism of Israel and accusing the 27-nation bloc of failing to take action to stop it, AFP reports.

“The genocide in Gaza shows Europe's inability to act and speak with one voice,” European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera said during a speech in Paris.

It should be noted that Israel categorically denies that it is committing genocide in Gaza.

Earlier, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that the death toll in the sector since the start of the war had exceeded 64,000.