Countries of the European Union convene to debate sanctions towards Israel concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the European Union (EU) is under pressure to take action. The war, which began after Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement of people.

According to Israeli figures, Hamas and other militant groups from Gaza have killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel's retaliatory offensive has claimed at least 63,025 Palestinian lives, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Gaza that the UN considers reliable.

The EU foreign ministers are meeting in Denmark to discuss possible measures against Israel. Some countries in the EU are pushing for more far-reaching punishment, but have been frustrated by members who back Israel's goal of destroying Hamas.

One proposal being discussed is the suspension of EU funding to Israeli start-ups as initial punishment for the situation in Gaza. However, the EU has so far failed to garner the majority needed to take this step.

The EU's rotating presidency is currently held by Denmark, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen insisting that the EU should change words into action and put pressure on Israel. Rasmussen supports suspending trade co-operation with Israel, sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers, and banning imports from illegal settlements.

Discussions also include potential sanctions on ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government and a ban on exports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has expressed pessimism about the meeting, stating that no decisions will be adopted.

The war in Gaza has displaced about half of the Palestinian territory's population, which is approximately one million people. The UN has declared a famine is taking place in the area. The EU is unlikely to agree upon strong measures due to splits between its states.

Countries advocating for harsher sanctions against Israel mainly include a majority of EU member states except for countries like Germany and Hungary, which block or reject such measures. Hungary has specifically blocked sanctions against Israeli settlers, and Germany opposes suspending the EU-Israel association agreement or trade relations.

As the conflict continues, the international community, including the EU, is under increasing pressure to find a resolution and put an end to the violence and suffering in Gaza.

Countries of the European Union convene to debate sanctions towards Israel concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza.