A confidential assessment by the European External Action Service has concluded that Israel’s military operations in Gaza show “indications” of violating the human-rights and international-law obligations embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The findings, circulated to member states from 19 June, place the two-decade-old accord under unprecedented scrutiny. EU foreign ministers will debate the report and an accompanying “options paper” at their next Foreign Affairs Council. The document lists five potential measures ranging from suspending trade preferences and imposing targeted sanctions to a partial arms embargo or even a full freeze of the association agreement. Diplomats say the 27 member states remain sharply divided on whether to penalise Israel. Amid the dispute, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on 10 July that she had secured Israeli consent for “significant steps” to ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The deal foresees a substantial increase in daily aid trucks, the opening of new crossings in the enclave’s north and south, the reactivation of supply routes from Jordan and Egypt, limited fuel deliveries for humanitarian facilities and repairs to critical infrastructure such as water-desalination plants. EU personnel are expected to monitor the crossings and coordinate with UN agencies to verify deliveries. Ministers will review progress on 15 July and have warned that sanctions remain on the table if “tangible results” are not seen. While emphasising that the bloc’s goal is to improve conditions for Gaza’s civilians, Kallas repeated the EU’s call for an immediate cease-fire and the release of all hostages.