The Commission president, who is running for a second term, made the remarks at a debate co-hosted by POLITICO in Maastricht.
In response to a question about how she proposes to end the war in Gaza, von der Leyen said she has always defended Israel’s right to defend itself, while calling on Israel’s leaders to act within the limits of humanitarian and international law.
Von der Leyen said she had visited Rafah and found it “unbearable” and “unacceptable” how many “innocent civilians” and “especially children” are dying.
She called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and a two-state solution.
“This is the only solution that will bring peace to the region,” she said.
Israel is threatening to invade Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, where over half of Gaza’s population is sheltering.