EU will review trade deal with Israel, Kallas says

The European Union will review its trade agreement with Israel, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Tuesday, citing the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and growing international concern over Israel’s renewed military offensive.

The EU is preparing to reassess its association agreement with Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas confirmed following a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” Kallas told reporters. “The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it's a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed.”

Kallas said a “strong majority” of EU foreign ministers supported the move, reflecting growing unease in Europe over Israel’s actions in Gaza. The announcement comes amid escalating international pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which recently launched a renewed military campaign in the Palestinian enclave.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed the EU decision in remarks to parliament, noting that 17 of the bloc’s 27 member states backed the review.

While EU sanctions targeting violent Israeli settlers have been prepared, Kallas noted that implementation has been held up by opposition from a single member state, which she did not name.

The EU’s association agreement with Israel, in place since 2000, governs political dialogue, trade, and economic cooperation. Any formal review of the pact would mark a significant political signal and could impact EU-Israel relations going forward.

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