The Netherlands and Sweden Press for Trade Suspension with Israel and Lifting the Siege on Gaza

Both Sweden and the Netherlands called, on the eve of the meeting of the EU foreign and defense ministers held in Denmark, for the suspension of the trade agreement between the European Union and Israel, in protest against the escalating violations in the Gaza Strip and the continued restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid.

The two countries sent a joint message to the European Union, demanding sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers, considering that their policies contribute to deepening the humanitarian disaster and exacerbating the conflict.

At the same time, Sweden and the Netherlands called for tightening sanctions on Hamas leaders, and demanded that the movement step down from power in the Gaza Strip and disarm, as part of a broader vision to end the escalating conflict in the region.

These calls coincided with a firm stance from the United Nations Security Council, which issued a joint statement yesterday evening, signed by all 14 of its members except the United States, acknowledging that the famine in the Gaza Strip is a "man-made crisis," warning that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

The Council called for an immediate, permanent, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, in addition to the release of all prisoners held by Hamas and other factions, and significantly increasing humanitarian aid, with Israel immediately and unconditionally lifting all restrictions on the delivery of relief.

Last week, the United Nations announced that Gaza has entered a state of official famine, confirming that about 500,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger, based on the "Food Security Phase Classification" report supported by the international organization.

Despite these escalating international warnings, Israel demanded the withdrawal of the UN report, denying the existence of famine in the sector it has besieged for nearly two years, at a time when it continues its military operations aimed at occupying the city of Gaza after having controlled about 75% of the area of the sector.