Germany and Italy block EU sanctions on Israel
Photo: Germany and Italy blocked sanctions against Israel (Getty Images)
The European Union has failed to reach an agreement on imposing sanctions against Israel due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Spiegel reports.
According to German sources, Germany and Italy played a key role in blocking the initiative.
Discussions in the Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels ended without result.
The European Commission has proposed for the first time a partial suspension of Israel's participation in the Horizon Europe research program, one of the key instruments of scientific cooperation between the EU and third countries.
This would be Brussels' first direct move against Israel since the start of the war in Gaza. However, opposition from a number of member states is blocking the adoption of this decision at the EU level.
US pressure
US President Donald Trump, who had previously avoided direct criticism of Israel's actions, this time openly called on his ally to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.
After meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland, Trump said that, regardless of whether you call it starvation or not, these are children who are starving.
His statement, according to Western media estimates, indicates a change in US rhetoric towards Israel amid growing international pressure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said that two Bundeswehr planes have already taken off to participate in a humanitarian operation to drop aid over Gaza.
They are being equipped in Jordan. The missions could begin today or in the coming days.
At the same time, humanitarian organizations question the effectiveness of such actions.
According to them, the amount of aid delivered is negligible, and the method itself is expensive and dangerous. Pallets can pose a threat to the lives of people on the ground.
Cessation of fighting in Gaza
On July 27, the Israel Defense Forces announced daily pauses in combat operations in the Gaza Strip (in certain areas) to create corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
According to the statement, fighting will cease from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
