On Monday, EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss, among other things, the future common approach to the war in the Middle East. The sanctions would imply “a stronger European commitment, both in combating infrastructure and financial support for Hamas, and in isolating and delegitimizing Hamas at the international level, which in no way represents the Palestinians or their legitimate aspirations.” advance.
Hamas is already classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union, which means that all funds and assets it holds in the EU must be frozen. The brief letter did not indicate exactly how the sanctions would be expanded or strengthened.
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If EU members agree in principle, the next step would be for experts to draw up the legal framework to find out which people or organizations could be targeted. On Friday, the Union had already placed the commander of Hamas' armed wing, Mohammed Deif, and his deputy, Marwan Issa, on its terrorist list. Both are considered the planners of the unprecedented massacre of October 7th.
Debate on banning entry of extremist settlers
The meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels also discussed the question of whether EU entry bans should be imposed on extremist Israeli settlers. The US recently announced this measure in response to an alarming increase in violence in the West Bank.
debate
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Borrell confirmed on Monday night that a sanction proposal was already underway and that he wanted to present it soon. The basis is the EU's sanctions instrument to punish serious human rights violations. The proposal would allow bans on entry into the EU and the freezing of assets located in the EU. According to diplomats, the sanctions could be decided at the same time as new punitive measures against Hamas, which Borrell said are also in preparation.
The Paris government, in particular, has recently pushed for sanctions against extremist settlers. As a country with the largest number of Jewish residents and at the same time the largest number of Muslims in Europe, France faces a balancing act. However, diplomats believe it will be difficult to achieve the unanimity needed for EU-wide bans, as countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary are staunch allies of Israel. However, sanctions imposed by the US, Israel's biggest supporter, could prompt a reconsideration, others say.
Criticism of Israel and the USA
Regarding the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, Borrell accused Israel of ignoring calls from partners such as the European Union. “We said, among other things, at the G-7 meetings that Israel should not use the same tactics in the south of Gaza that it used in the north.” But the bombings now continue with extraordinary intensity. “It’s the same thing, if not worse,” he said.
Borrell also criticized the US, which recently blocked a call for a new humanitarian ceasefire for the Gaza Strip with a veto in the UN Security Council. The EU's chief diplomat described the decision as regrettable.
Israel: 22,000 targets attacked since the start of the war
The Israeli military claims to have attacked more than 22,000 targets in the Gaza Strip since the war began a good two months ago. Despite the growing number of civilian deaths, the war against Islamic Hamas is expected to continue to intensify.
UN special session on Tuesday
On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly, made up of 193 members, is expected to vote on a draft resolution that calls for a new ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. A draft text, available to the AFP news agency, calls for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and an “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”. It also states “great concern” about the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”.
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22,000 targets attacked since the start of the war
International criticism of the Israeli government's actions in the face of an increasingly catastrophic situation for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is growing. According to the United Nations, half of the region's population is hungry. There are warnings around the world that the unbearable suffering is only driving more Palestinians into the arms of Hamas.
So far, Israel has not been impressed by this: the military says it has attacked more than 22,000 targets in the Gaza Strip since the war began a good two months ago. Despite the growing number of civilian deaths, the war against Hamas is expected to continue to intensify.