EU Considers Measures to Press Israel Over Gaza Crisis, Seeks to Avoid Trade Clash with U.S.

The European Union is weighing political action against Israel in a bid to ease the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday.

The move follows growing concerns among member states over alleged human rights violations committed during Israel’s ongoing 21-month war with Hamas.

Speaking after a meeting with Asian foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Kallas emphasized that the EU’s intention is not to punish Israel but to push for tangible improvements in the humanitarian situation. “Our aim is to really improve the situation on the ground because the humanitarian situation is untenable,” she said.

The EU’s diplomatic service has presented 10 possible measures to member governments, according to a document seen by Reuters. These range from suspending technical cooperation projects to more consequential actions like halting the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which underpins trade and political relations between the two sides.

The proposals come after a recent EU review found “indications” that Israel may have violated human rights obligations tied to its association pact with the bloc.

Kallas noted that Israel had agreed to expand aid access to Gaza, including allowing more trucks and opening new routes to distribution centers. Still, several EU countries are pressing for stronger steps amid ongoing reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and restricted aid delivery in the enclave.

Meanwhile, Kallas addressed another pressing diplomatic concern — escalating trade tensions with Washington. As former U.S. President Donald Trump continues his tariff offensive, the EU is in talks with U.S. officials to avert additional levies. Trump warned that a formal notice of new tariffs on the EU could arrive as early as Friday.

“We have of course possibilities to react, but we don’t want to retaliate. We don’t want a trade war, actually,” Kallas said, underlining the EU’s preference for negotiation over confrontation.