The European Union is increasing pressure on Israel following its recent ground offensive in Gaza, with potential sanctions and trade agreement suspensions under consideration. The move comes as concerns rise over humanitarian access and human rights violations.

Several Western countries are threatening Israel with measures, including sanctions, due to the ongoing blockade of aid to Gaza. For 11 weeks Israel has blocked essential supplies like food, water, and medicine from reaching the approximately two million residents of Gaza.

The United Kingdom has already suspended free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador for discussions.

At a recent foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, a “strong majority” of EU countries supported exploring Article Two of the association agreement between the EU and Israel, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Article Two allows for the suspension of the trade agreement in cases of human rights violations, representing a significant intervention by the EU.

The agreement provides Israel with substantial trade advantages, including duty-free access to the European market for various goods, making the EU Israel’s largest trading partner. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, present at the Brussels meeting, did not disclose Denmark’s specific vote but emphasized the collective concern among ministers regarding the situation.

Løkke stated that there is a general consensus among the countries that a ceasefire should be established, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid must be ensured.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that 93 trucks carrying aid had entered the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening. However, it was not immediately clear whether the aid could be transported from the border crossing to UN warehouses and the Palestinian population. The UN estimates that 500 trucks of aid are needed daily in Gaza.