The EU signaled a possible shift in its trade relations with Israel on Tuesday, as its foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced that the bloc's long-standing partnership agreement with Israel will be reviewed in response to the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza.
"A strong majority" of EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels backed reassessing the EU-Israel trade deal, Kallas said, pointing to what she described as unacceptable humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory. "The aid Israel has allowed in is welcome, of course," she said, "but it is a drop in the ocean. Assistance must flow immediately, unimpeded and at scale — that is what is required."
Israel swiftly condemned the move, saying it "reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel faces." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warned that the review would only serve to embolden Hamas.
The EU deliberations follow a joint statement on Monday by the leaders of Canada, the UK, and France, warning Israel to halt its military offensive in Gaza and allow humanitarian access or face “concrete measures” in response to what they described as the Netanyahu government’s “reprehensible actions.”
In response, Netanyahu accused the three nations of handing Hamas "a major prize" by threatening punitive steps against Israel.
The UK also announced it was suspending trade talks with Israel and had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the renewed assault on Gaza.
The transatlantic warning was part of a larger chorus. On the same day, foreign ministers from 23 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and Spain, issued a joint call urging the immediate resumption of aid flows into Gaza. The statement also demanded unfettered access for UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to operate independently and neutrally.
Meanwhile, the Spanish parliament approved a motion to consider halting arms sales to Israel. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously called for Israel to be excluded from international cultural events.
Sweden's foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said Tuesday that Stockholm would push within the EU for sanctions on specific Israeli ministers over their government's handling of Palestinian civilians.
Separately, a source familiar with US-Israel discussions told the WP that President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Israel to end the war in recent days, particularly as the Israeli occupation army called up tens of thousands of reservists and intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza.
The unnamed source said Trump administration officials warned Israel that support could waver if the war continues. "Netanyahu could end the war tomorrow," the source said, "and he has the votes to do it. But he lacks the political will."
Last week, the Israeli occupation army launched what it called a "major" new operation in Gaza, involving heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling across the north. Palestinian authorities report more than 115 people killed, with rescue teams still searching through rubble.
The Israeli occupation army resumed its assault on the Gaza Strip on March 18, renewing a war it launched on October 7, 2023. The escalation followed Israel’s refusal to uphold a ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19 and was intended to culminate in a full exchange of detainees held by Hamas and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Although Israel's security cabinet agreed to resume aid shipments under UN supervision on Sunday, no trucks have entered so far, following a blockade lasting two and a half months.
