Israel's execution of the aid agreement for Gaza has been largely incomplete up to this point, according to the EU. - EU claims partial implementation of aid deal towards Gaza by Israel
The European Union (EU) is actively monitoring the implementation of a humanitarian aid deal for the Gaza Strip, expressing concerns over partial adherence to the agreement and ongoing challenges in the region.
In a recent meeting held in Brussels, EU foreign ministers, led by foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, discussed the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and verification mechanisms to ensure Israel fully complies with the deal. The EU estimates that Israel is only partially adhering to the agreement aimed at better supplying the needy civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
Positive steps have been made, with Israel allowing some humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza and efforts to restore electricity and water infrastructure. However, the EU aid chief, Hadja Lahbib, confirmed that the agreement is still not fully implemented as of mid-July 2025.
One of the key aspects of the agreement includes an increase in daily food deliveries and other aid goods by truck. Yet, according to Hadja Lahbib, not enough trucks with aid supplies can enter the Gaza Strip. The ongoing Israeli air strikes, which prevent aid organizations from operating, have not been fully addressed by the agreement, as criticized by Lahbib.
Over the weekend, more than 100 people, mainly children and women, died while waiting for food and water distribution, underscoring the urgent need for full implementation of the aid deal.
In response, Kaja Kallas has suggested a range of measures that could theoretically put pressure on the Israeli government. These measures include suspending trade preferences, imposing a weapons embargo, and blocking Israel's access to the EU research funding program Horizon. Kallas also suggested tightening entry requirements for Israeli citizens and imposing sanctions on politicians responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The EU is not yet considering new sanctions against Israel, but the potential for them has been discussed if the agreement fails to be fully implemented. The EU remains committed to working towards a real improvement in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
[1] EU Observer, "EU urges Israel to fully implement Gaza aid deal", July 15, 2025, https://euobserver.com/foreign/147139 [2] Reuters, "EU ministers push for greater transparency on Gaza aid deal", July 16, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-ministers-push-greater-transparency-gaza-aid-deal-2025-07-16/
- The EU foreign ministers, in a recent meeting, have discussed the necessity for a robust implementation of the Gaza aid deal, emphasizing the importance of transparency and seal-tight verification mechanisms to ensure complete adherence from Israel, given the ongoing conflicts and political tensions in the region.
- As the war-and-conflicts in Gaza persist, EU officials are urging Israel to fully implement the Gaza aid deal, considering the implementation of sanctions, tightening entry requirements, and ending trade preferences as potential measures, should the agreement continue to fall short.
