Kuwait city: European Union Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday, that improving the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in Gaza remains an urgent priority for the EU member states. "The situation is still very, very bad in Gaza, so as long as it hasn't really improved, then we haven't all done enough," Kallas said to reporters ahead of an EU Foreign affairs Council meeting. Pointing to the "catastrophic" situation on the ground, she noted that a lack of ceasefire makes it harder to provide humanitarian aid.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Kallas stated that the EU has reached a common understanding with Israel to improve the situation on the ground. However, she emphasized that the focus is not merely on agreements but on their implementation. While there are some positive signs, such as improved access through border crossings, increased water availability, and efforts to rehabilitate electricity lines, Kallas stressed the necessity for further actions to enhance living conditions for the people in Gaza.
She mentioned that she had presented an "options paper" to the EU member states, outlining the available measures they could pursue. This proposal includes ten potential actions in response to calls from several member states to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to human rights concerns in Gaza.
The proposed measures discussed by EU officials include a full suspension of the agreement, limitations on trade ties, imposition of sanctions on Israeli ministers, halting of arms exports, and suspension of visa-free travel.