Senior EU Official Warns: Possible Sanctions Against Israel Over Violations in Gaza

European Council President António Costa has suggested that the European Union may take steps against Israel if an upcoming EU report concludes the country has violated international law during its military campaign in Gaza.

Speaking ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ summit later this month, Costa described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “completely unacceptable” and hinted at the expected outcome of the legal review commissioned by the EU.

“The political arm of the Union is assessing whether Israel’s actions comply with international legal standards,” Costa said Friday. “But based on what you see on television and read in the newspapers, I don’t think it will be hard to anticipate the conclusions.”

According to four European diplomats who spoke to Politico, pressure is growing within the EU to escalate measures against Israel, including potentially revising trade agreements and the long-standing EU-Israel Association Agreement. That agreement is the foundational framework for political, economic, and trade cooperation between the parties.

While a formal suspension or amendment to the agreement would require consensus among all 27 member states, diplomats say alternative steps are being explored in parallel.

“The atmosphere is shifting toward action in support of Gaza,” said one diplomat. “That momentum creates new political opportunities.”

The diplomat also noted that even traditional allies of Israel are hardening their tone in response to the situation.

Review of Association Agreement

A coalition of 17 EU member states has already called for a formal review of the Association Agreement, with particular focus on Article 2, which states that the partnership may be suspended if one party commits “serious human rights violations.”

The Netherlands, in particular, has urged a legal assessment of whether Israel remains in compliance with this clause and has joined countries like France in pushing for further action.

Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Valdekamp emphasized that, “We must consider whether decisions require a simple majority, a qualified majority, or full unanimity. First, we’ll wait for the legal evaluation, and then we’ll decide how to proceed.”

A Shifting Diplomatic Landscape

The developments come amid a rapid deterioration in Israel’s international standing. Over the past month, an unprecedented diplomatic backlash has emerged across Europe with several governments publicly questioning the legality of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.