The European Union reached a deal with Israel on 11 July aimed at sharply increasing the flow of food, medicine and other essentials into the Gaza Strip. The arrangement, brokered by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, envisages opening additional border crossings and boosting daily truck convoys while ensuring supplies are kept out of Hamas’ hands. Briefing EU foreign ministers on 15 July, Kallas said Israel had taken “some positive steps” but was not yet fully implementing the accord, noting that aid trucks were moving although precise numbers were unavailable. She urged Israel to take “more concrete” action and warned that the bloc is prepared to respond if the humanitarian situation does not improve. Kallas circulated a catalogue of possible countermeasures should Israel fail to comply, diplomats said. Options range from suspending parts of the EU–Israel Association Agreement and withdrawing trade preferences to halting scientific programmes such as Horizon Europe and imposing targeted sanctions on Israeli officials. Frustration deepened at month-end as German Foreign Minister called for a “fundamental improvement” in Gaza, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned conditions at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution centres as “shameful” and urged the charity’s activities to cease. Both ministers said the humanitarian crisis in the enclave “exceeds imagination,” underscoring EU pressure on Israel to deliver tangible relief.