EU pressing Israel to improve Gaza humanitarian situation, top diplomat says

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

A Palestinian child stands at the site of an overnight Israeli air strike on a house, in Gaza City, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

KUALA LUMPUR - The European Union is seeking ways to put pressure on Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, its top diplomat said, as member states weighed action against Israel over what they see as potential human rights violations.

The EUs diplomatic service on Thursday presented 10 options for political action against Israel after saying it found indications last month that Israel breached human rights obligations under a pact governing its ties with the bloc.

In a document prepared for EU member countries and seen by Reuters, the options included major steps such as suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement - which includes trade relations - and lesser steps such as suspending technical projects.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday the options were prepared in response to member states that wanted stronger pressure on Israel to rectify the suffering of civilians in Gazas now 21-month-old war.

Our aim is not to punish Israel in any way, she said after meeting with Asian foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, amid growing global jitters arising from U.S. President Donald Trumps tariff offensive.

Our aim is to really improve the situation on the ground (in Gaza),because the humanitarian situation is untenable.

EU members have voiced concern over the large number of civilian casualties and mass displacement of Gazas inhabitants during Israels war against Hamas militants in the