The EU-Israel Association Agreement establishes close relations between the bloc and the Middle Eastern nation, governing cooperation in key industries and bilateral trade. While tearing up the pact entirely would require unanimous support from all 27 EU member countries, four officials confirmed to POLITICO that interim measures, such as paring back trade ties, are being considered and could be passed by a qualified majority of countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn response to the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023, Israel launched an intense military campaign, involving the use of weapons with wide are effects in densely-populated areas, and severe restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential goods and services into Gaza,\u201d the eight-page document reads.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the context of Israel and the [Occupied Palestinian Territory], observers have deplored a persistent lack of accountability on all sides,\u201d the document says. \u201cThis ongoing lack of accountability measures for serious allegations of international law violations has raised serious doubts about Israeli authorities\u2019 willingness and ability to conduct genuine investigations, as required by international law.\u201d<\/p>\n
The EEAS\u2019 assessment of the humanitarian situation also criticizes mass casualty events in Gaza, citing an \u201cunprecedented level of killing and injury of civilians,\u201d as well as attacks on hospitals and the displacement of an estimated 90 percent of the population of the territory.<\/p>\n