There are indications Israel breached EU agreement bloc s foreign policy arm says

BRUSSELS - The European Unions diplomatic service said on Friday there are indications that Israel has breached its human rights obligations under the terms of a pact governing its ties with the bloc, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Citing assessments by independent international institutions, the European External Action Service said there are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The report comes after months of deepening concern in European capitals about Israel’s operations in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

Israels continued restrictions to the provision of food, medicines, medical equipment, and other vital supplies affect the entire population of Gaza present on the affected territory, the document said.

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced in May that the bloc would examine whether Israel is complying with the terms of its pact with the bloc, after over half of EU members backed conducting a review.

Under the agreement, which came into force in 2000, the EU and Israel agreed that their relationship “shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

Israel has said that it respects international law and that operations in Gaza are necessary to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

Israels mission to the EU did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The new document includes a section dedicated to the situation in Gaza, covering issues related to denial of humanitarian aid, attacks with a significant number of casualties, attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, displacement, and lack of accountability.

The report also looks at the situation in the West Bank, including settler violence.

The document relies on facts verified by and assessments made by independent international