European Union criticises massacre of civilians in Gaza, but without sanctions

Brussels, July 23 – The European Union (EU) called the deaths of civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza "indefensible" and threatened Israel with possible retaliation, but without specifying when or in what direction, it was reported today.

After a new bilateral contact, the EU criticized the Zionist actions and invoked the humanitarian pact reached weeks ago to increase the humanitarian aid that the Israeli authorities allow to be distributed in Gaza.

Following the new deaths in bombings against displaced persons camps and against a group of people waiting to collect humanitarian aid, the killing of civilians is indefensible, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated in a message on social media.

The Estonian High Representative held contacts with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, urging him to improve the situation and remembered him that the EU is prepared to take possible retaliation if Israel violates the agreement, according to information released here by the community body.

I have spoken again to recall our agreement on aid flow and made it clear that the Israel Defense Forces must stop killing people at distribution points, said Kallas.

Regarding possible EU retaliation, a scenario the 27 discussed in June and July without reaching any conclusions, Kallas insisted that the European bloc reserves the right to take possible action against Tel Aviv if the situation does not improve.

All options remain on the table, Kallas stated, an action interpreted as a step to increase pressure on Israel and address the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the situation in the Strip and called the circulating images of the conflict "unbearable."

She also insisted that civilians "cannot be targeted." This must end now. Israel must keep its promises, she stated.

Von der Leyen reiterated that humanitarian aid must arrive freely, safely, and quickly; while in Brussels, the EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson condemned the new attacks against Palestinians at humanitarian aid distribution centers at a press conference.

The Israeli army's attacks against the inhabitants of Gaza, including the bombing of a Catholic church a few days ago, have been widely condemned by the international community, which advocates, for the most part, for an immediate cessation of the incursions.

Since October 2023, more than 58,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Zionist attacks against that territory, according to the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health.

In this context, and breaking with the EU's inaction on direct sanctions against Tel Aviv, Slovenia declared the ultra-Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, undesirable persons.

The Slovenian Foreign Ministry explained that the goal is to pressure the Zionists to "end the suffering of the population" in Gaza.

The death toll in the last week is around 600 Palestinians, according to data from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health. (Source: Prensa Latina)