• EU leaders condemn the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire.
• They demand Israel to lift its blockade to allow unhindered humanitarian aid.
• Debate continues within the EU on how to effectively pressure Israel to comply with international law.

European Union leaders met on June 26 in Brussels, where they deplored the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire alongside the unconditional release of all hostages. The summit underscored the urgent need for Israel to "fully comply with international law," particularly concerning the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as necessary infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, according to aa, trtglobal, and aljazeera.

During the summit, leaders urged Israel to allow “immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance” throughout Gaza, noting the severe impact of the ongoing blockade on the civilian population, which has faced critical shortages. The leaders also discussed ongoing issues related to settler violence in the West Bank, clearly expressing their stance against the illegal expansion of settlements, as reported by aljazeera and lemonde.

Despite the consensus on the humanitarian crisis, EU member states remain divided over measures to pressure Israel effectively. Leaders from nations such as Spain and Ireland advocated for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, arguing that Israel's actions constitute a breach of its human rights obligations. However, this proposal received considerable pushback from other member states, particularly Germany and Hungary, limiting significant policy changes, as highlighted by aa and aljazeera.

The urgency of the situation escalated with reports indicating that Israeli military actions since the start of the conflict in 2023 have resulted in over 56,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread devastation of infrastructure. Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged the critical need for the EU to work with the U.S. to exert influence on Israel for a ceasefire, with discussions focusing on how to unify their approach effectively, as indicated by aa and lemonde.