EU foreign policy chief slams Ben-Gvir’s call to block aid to Palestinians in Gaza

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has condemned Israel’s far-right minister of national security for threatening to cut fuel and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu has reported. Borrell described Itamar Ben-Gvir’s comment as an incitement to “war crimes” and warned that sanctions against Tel Aviv must now be included on the EU agenda.

“While the world pushes for a ceasefire in #Gaza, Min. Ben-Gvir calls for cutting fuel & aid to civilians,” Borrell wrote on X late Sunday. “I urge the Israeli government to unequivocally distance itself from these incitements to commit war crimes, and call it to engage in good faith in the negotiations facilitated by the US, Qatar and Egypt for an immediate ceasefire.”

Ben-Gvir called any ceasefire and prisoner swap deal with Hamas a “grave mistake,” earlier on Sunday. “If we cut off their fuel, within a week they would be on their knees. And if we stop the [aid] trucks, within two weeks they would be on their knees. So why are we going to do a deal, especially such an irresponsible deal?”

For months, Egypt, Qatar and the US have led indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but no agreement has been reached due to Israel’s refusal to meet the demands of Hamas to end the war, withdraw troops from Gaza and allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

Israel has killed nearly 39,800 Palestinians since 7 October 2023, mostly women and children, and injured over 92,000, according to local health authorities. The occupation state also stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, an allegation which it denies.

UNICEF: Over half of Gaza’s schools bombed by Israel