European Union to review agreement with Israel over its aid blockade, military actions in Gaza

European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas on Tuesday announced that the European Union will review its Association Agreement with Israel due to the “untenable” humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by Israel’s prolonged blockade and military actions.

This comes amid growing international pressure on Israel over the lack of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, and as Netanyahu’s government intensified its military offensive in the enclave.

Kaja Kallas stated that a “strong majority” of foreign ministers meeting in Brussels supported reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

“Israel’s decision to let aid into Gaza is a drop in the ocean,it’s welcomed, but not enough; thousands of trucks are still stuck at the borders, and the aid must reach the people because the situation in Gaza is extremely grave,” she said.

According to diplomats, 17 out of 27 EU member states backed the move, which was proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.

The review will assess whether Israel is upholding the human rights clause embedded in Article 2 of the treaty between the EU and Israel.

Article 2 of the European Union-Israel trade agreement states that “relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.”

The Agreement, which came into force in 2000, imposes binding obligations on both Parties to uphold human rights, meaning that if Israel violates international human rights law, the European Union would also be failing to meet its legal obligations under the agreement.

Describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” Kallas emphasized the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access. “While the aid permitted by Israel is welcome, it is merely a drop in the ocean. Aid must be allowed to flow freely, immediately, and at scale—because that is what the situation demands,” she told reporters.

In his letter proposing the review, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp expressed deep concern over Israeli policies that he said are “exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.”

 He also pointed to troubling statements made by Israeli cabinet members “about a permanent presence that alludes to a reoccupation of (parts of) the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon” and a “further worsening of the situation in the West Bank”.

He later welcomed the EU’s decision, stating, “It’s good that the EU has today sent a strong signal urging Israel to lift the humanitarian blockade as quickly and fully as possible.”

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic; urgent and massive aid is needed to alleviate the needs,” he said.

“With the announcement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to launch an investigation into compliance with Article 2 of the treaty between the EU and Israel, she has responded to the Dutch call, which today received broad support from EU member states. It is of great importance that a ceasefire is reached as soon as possible so that an end comes to the violence and the suffering of the population in Gaza, and the hostages are released,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, many pointed out that, despite over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, mass graves at hospitals, and children buried under rubble, the European Union has chosen only to review, not suspend or cancel, its Association Agreement with Israel, a move seen as deeply insufficient given the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

Dyab Abou Jahjah, the founder of Hind Rjab foundation, took to X, stating, “Europe has decided it may need to reconsider its relationship with the state responsible.”

“For months, Europe stood silent. It sold weapons, defended Israel on global platforms, and upheld an agreement that promises ‘respect for human rights’ while Gaza was being starved, bombed, and buried,” he said.

He described how Palestinian civilians, “doctors, journalists, mothers, teachers, aid workers” pleaded for help and action, but “Europe didn’t. It waited. And now, when the world has seen too much to ignore, it takes a small step and calls it progress.”

“But how do you explain a ‘review’ to the mother whose entire family was wiped out in a single airstrike? To the doctor operating without anesthesia on the floor of a shelled hospital? To the child who lost both legs in an attack funded by Europe’s military trade?” he asked.

Calling the EU’s decision “not accountability, but face-saving,” he said it was “a response to pressure, not to principle.”

“If Europe truly wants to stand on the side of justice, this must be the beginning of something real,” he urged the EU to “suspend the agreement, stop all arms exports, hold war criminals accountable, and end the system of impunity that made this massacre possible.”

Earlier on Monday, in a joint statement, the EU said, “Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.”

The EU stated that “Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza,” but added that “the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support” it, emphasizing they “will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles.”

They urged, “As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.”