European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed intentions to impose sanctions and suspend partial trade with Israel due to its ongoing operations in Gaza.
The European Union remains divided on a united response towards Israel and Palestinian affairs, complicating the potential sanction approval process.
Meanwhile, recent Israeli military actions have extended into Qatari territory, striking Hamas leaders who gathered to discuss a U.S.-proposed ceasefire. The attack, which left five Hamas members dead and caused significant damage, has been widely condemned.
Qatar insists that its commitment to neutrality should protect it from such aggressions and expresses concern that the attack may hinder future mediations in the region. Analysts remark that it poses challenges to the fragile diplomatic agreements arising from the Abraham Accords.
In response to the events, von der Leyen highlighted during her address in Strasbourg, France, the urgent need to address humanitarian crises, emphasizing that starvation cannot be a weapon of war. Her statement marks a notable shift from her previous support of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
A number of countries are uniting in the call for accountability, including Japan, which has condemned Israel’s actions as destabilizing.
As the conflict continues, humanitarian organizations brace for the escalating needs arising in the already-strained region. Urgent efforts are being called upon, not only to provide immediate relief but also to secure long-term peace solutions.
