Anticipates prolonged battles in Gaza City, as per Israeli military reports
The European Union (EU) is considering imposing sanctions on Israel following its actions in Gaza, according to reports. The EU Commission is set to present concrete proposals for sanctions today, including measures such as suspending certain trade benefits and sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and settlers.
The Israeli government maintains that its military operations are targeted at Hamas, the Islamic Palestinian organization that controls Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of using civilians as 'human shields.' However, the UN-appointed commission of human rights lawyers has concluded that Israel's conduct of the war against Hamas aims to destroy the Palestinians, a claim that Israel has condemned as scandalous.
The situation in Gaza is dire. Save the Children and other aid organizations have criticized the catastrophic humanitarian situation, stating that families are eating animal feed to survive and boiling leaves to feed their children. The northern part of Gaza is being systematically destroyed by Israel, making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to stay. Many cannot afford to flee due to economic hardship, with the cost of renting a car to transport their belongings skyrocketing to nearly 1,300 euros.
Despite this, almost 400,000 people have heeded the army's evacuation calls and left the city declared a combat zone, which is less than half of the estimated one million residents of the city. The Israeli army's ground offensive in Gaza, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, could last many months according to army spokesman Effie Defrin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for urgent action from the international community following the start of Israel's ground offensive in Gaza. He has also instructed the army to find ways to simplify the people's escape from Gaza. An Israeli army spokesman announced the temporary opening of an evacuation route southwards in Gaza, valid for 48 hours from 12:00 local time (11:00 CEST).
The European Union is deeply divided in its handling of the Jewish state. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has urged the German government to support plans for trade sanctions or propose alternative leverage. However, not all EU members are in favour of such measures.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the violence in Gaza as horrendous and morally, politically, and legally intolerable. He has called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
