Sign in Subscribe
Free trade

Israel Faces Mounting Pressure Over Gaza War as Key Allies Criticize Blockade and Military Campaign

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

International condemnation is growing against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, with key allies, including Britain and European Union member states, suspending free trade negotiations or pledging to review commercial ties due to Israel's 11-week blockade on Gaza and its plans to displace Gaza residents to enclaves in the south. The British government has stated that it will adhere to an existing trade pact with Israel but that the "egregious policies" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made it impossible to "advance discussions" on a potential new accord.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British government has announced that it will not advance discussions on a potential new trade accord with Israel due to the country's 11-week blockade on Gaza and its plans to displace Gaza residents to enclaves in the south.
  • The European Union (E.U.) has begun a formal review of its trade accord with Israel, with E.U. foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating that the bloc will launch an exercise to reconsider the deal, which includes provisions on international human rights law.
  • The blockade on Gaza has left more than 2 million people at critical risk of famine, with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimating that an average of 500 trucks would enter each working day before the war, or roughly 10,000 trucks a month.
  • At least 53 people were killed in Gaza on Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry, as Israeli attacks targeted hospitals and residential areas.
  • Israel's military campaign has killed more than 53,000 people in Gaza, with the majority of the dead being women and children, according to the local Health Ministry.
  • The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that hopes for a potential ceasefire have dwindled, as Israeli officials have said they will pull out of indirect talks with Hamas in Qatar.
  • The Qatari Prime Minister has stated that there is a "fundamental gap" between the two parties in negotiations, with Israel demanding the release of hostages without conditions.
  • Israel has blamed Hamas for the stalemate in negotiations, with the Israeli military's chief of staff stating that Hamas will face the "full force of our firepower" if it does not comply.

Statistics:

  • Over 2 million people are at critical risk of famine in Gaza due to the 11-week blockade.
  • An average of 500 trucks would enter each working day before the war, or roughly 10,000 trucks a month, according to OCHA.
  • More than 53,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, with the majority being women and children.
  • At least 53 people were killed in Gaza on Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry.
  • Over 97,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the war, according to OCHA.
  • The blockade has been in place for 11 weeks, with humanitarian aid only recently being allowed to enter the territory in small numbers.

Sources:

  • "Britain and EU to review ties with Israel over Gaza blockade" - BBC
  • "Israel's 11-week blockade on Gaza 'has left people in the most critical stage of hunger'" - The Guardian
  • "EU to review trade ties with Israel amid Gaza crisis" - Reuters
  • "Over 53,000 killed in Gaza since start of war: Health Ministry" - Al Jazeera
  • "More than 97,000 Palestinians displaced in Gaza since start of war" - Gaza Ministry of Information
  • "Netanyahu's Gaza plans spark outrage from Western allies" - Bloomberg
  • "EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announces review of Israel trade deal" - EUobserver
  • "Israel's blockade of Gaza 'has become death trap', says French foreign minister" - France 24

Read more