The European Union is set to review its foundational political and economic pact with Israel, known as an association agreement, in response to what its top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, described as a "catastrophic" situation in Gaza, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Kallas’ announcement followed a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Brussels, signaling increased international pressure on the Jewish state.
Kallas indicated that a "strong majority" of the ministers present endorsed the review of the agreement, which will scrutinize Israel's compliance with a crucial human rights clause embedded within the pact.
Diplomatic sources specified that 17 out of the 27 EU member states supported the initiative, which was proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
"The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. 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 told reporters, underscoring the bloc's immediate concerns regarding the humanitarian conditions.
Responding to Kallas, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein stated, “We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing.”
“This war was forced upon Israel by Hamas, and Hamas is the one responsible for its continuation. Israel agreed time and again to the American proposals to a ceasefire and to the release of the hostages. Hamas refused each and every one of these proposals,” he added.
“Ignoring these realities and criticising Israel only hardens Hamas’s position and encourages Hamas to stick to its guns. Hamas’s recent praise for such criticism is a clear indication of this and results in prolonging the war,” stated the spokesperson.
“It is also unfortunate that the statement ignores both the American initiative to transfer aid without it reaching Hamas, and the recent Israeli decision to facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza.”
“We thank the countries that recognized this reality, supported Israel during the discussion, and remain committed to open dialogue with the EU and its member states. We call on the EU to exert pressure where it belongs — on Hamas,” he concluded.
The EU initiative to review the agreements came as Israel is establishing a system to distribute aid to Gazans in Rafah, in an area under IDF control, where civilians will be admitted only after strict screening.
This system was necessitated by Hamas taking the humanitarian aid meant for Gazan civilians, a fact pointed out recently by US President Donald Trump.