BRUSSELS — European Union leaders have vowed to take a stronger stance in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after being excluded from the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, seeking a renewed diplomatic role in the region’s fragile peace process.
Meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the 27 EU heads of state discussed the situation in Gaza during a summit primarily centered on Ukraine and Russia. They pledged EU support for post-war stabilization, reaffirming the bloc’s long-standing position as the largest donor of aid to Palestinians and Israel’s top trading partner.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden stressed that Europe must move “from observer to actor,” warning that peace remains uncertain despite the ceasefire. The discussions highlighted deep divisions within the EU: some leaders, including those from Ireland and the Netherlands, supported maintaining proposed sanctions and partial trade suspensions to exert pressure on Israel, while others argued that such measures could undermine recent diplomatic progress.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s earlier call for targeted sanctions and trade restrictions lost momentum following the U.S.-mediated truce led by President Donald Trump. However, several leaders believe that keeping sanctions “on the table” would give Brussels leverage in ensuring Israel’s compliance with humanitarian and peace commitments in Gaza.
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