EU Leaders Seek a 'Active' Role in Gaza

SadaNews - EU leaders are striving to take a more active role in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, following a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and "Hamas."

During a summit held last night in Brussels, which focused heavily on Ukraine and Russia, EU heads of state discussed the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

They pledged European support to stabilize the war-torn coastal enclave. The European Union is the largest aid provider to the Palestinians and Israel's primary trading partner.

For his part, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stated while heading to the meeting: "It is important that Europe does not just watch, but has an active role," adding that "the matter of Gaza is not over; peace is not permanent yet."

Anger over the war in Gaza has caused a rift within the bloc of 27 nations and pushed relations between Israel and the EU to a historic low.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in September plans to seek sanctions and partial trade restrictions against Israel,

aiming to pressure it into reaching a peace agreement in Gaza.

However, it seems the momentum behind these measures has waned with the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump, prompting some European leaders to call for its cancellation.

Nevertheless, leaders from Ireland to the Netherlands are stating that as violence continues to escalate in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, keeping the option of imposing sanctions on Israeli government ministers and settlements, as well as partially suspending a trade agreement, gives the EU leverage over Israel to limit military action.