European sanctions on Tel Aviv and suspension of trade clauses due to the war on Gaza

The European Union officially announced the imposition of sanctions on the Israeli occupation in light of its war in the Gaza Strip, in an unprecedented move expected to have wide political and economic repercussions.

EU Foreign Minister Kaia Kallas stated in an official statement on Tuesday that the sanctions will focus on "extremist ministers and violent settlers," along with suspending key provisions in the trade agreements signed with Tel Aviv.

Kallas confirmed that the sanctions will take effect starting Wednesday, emphasizing that "the ground operation launched by Israel in Gaza will exacerbate the already desperate situation, leading to more death, destruction, and displacement."

In a post on the "X" platform, the European official clarified that the Commission will present new measures aimed at pressuring Israel to change its course, noting that "suspending trade privileges and imposing sanctions on extremist ministers and settlers who commit violence will clearly show that the EU demands an end to this war."

The European decision comes at a time when the Israeli occupation army announced early yesterday, Tuesday, the start of a large-scale ground operation in the city of Gaza involving regular and reserve forces, as part of what it called "Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2," which aims — according to its statements — to "occupy Gaza."

The army stated that the operation is being carried out by units 98, 162, and 36, and includes intensive artillery and aerial bombardment alongside a ground incursion into the neighborhoods of the city.

The Hebrew newspaper "Ma'ariv" commented on the European move, confirming that experts in the Israeli occupation warned that suspending trade agreements with Europe could "destabilize" the country's economy.

The newspaper quoted these experts as saying that the European sanctions represent "a dramatic step that could directly affect tens of billions of dollars and constitute a turning point in Israeli-European relations."

A spokesperson for the European Commission had confirmed earlier on Tuesday that the commissioners would approve the new package of sanctions on Wednesday.

Since October 7, 2023, and with American support, the Israeli occupation continues its genocide and ethnic cleansing war on the Gaza Strip, which human rights organizations and international bodies describe as genocide.

According to the latest statistics, the war has so far resulted in the martyrdom of 64,964 Palestinians and the injury of 165,312 others, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to the death of 428 Palestinians, including 146 children, due to famine and lack of food and medicine.