Sa’ar departs Brussels as EU weighs actions against Israel over Gaza war, urges more aid

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar is on his way back to Israel after participating in a summit at the European Union in Brussels yesterday, his office says.

Upon his departure, Sa’ar thanks EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for hosting the EU–Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting, which brought together foreign ministers from the EU and partner states in the Middle East and North Africa to discuss regional cooperation.

In a post on X, Sa’ar says he updated Kallas “on regional developments, including Iran and our efforts to secure a hostage deal,” adding that the two “discussed the importance of continuing and strengthening the dialogue and cooperation between Israel and the EU.”

Sa’ar’s visit came as the EU continues to weigh possible responses to Israel’s conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza — including a partial or full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, trade restrictions and sanctions — though severe actions appear unlikely due to a lack of consensus among member states.

Ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council today, in which the EU is set to discuss potential actions against Israel, Kallas says the recent deal struck between Israel and the EU to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza shows “a common understanding with Israel to really improve the situation on the ground.”

“But,” she adds, “it’s not about the paper, but actually the implementation of the paper. We see some positive signs, when it comes to border crossings open, we see some positive signs of them reconstructing the electricity lines, providing water, also more trucks of humanitarian aid coming in, but of course, we need to see more in order to see real improvement.”

Sa’ar’s office and the Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for information on the status of the agreement’s implementation.

Throughout the visit, some Israel-friendly EU allies, including the Czech Republic and Hungary, voiced support for Israel and pushed back against proposed sanctions. In messages reposted by Sa’ar on X, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský reaffirmed their backing.

Lipavský said in a phone call with Sa’ar, “It is in the EU’s interest to maintain influence in a turbulent region, not withdraw from it,” and expressed hope for a ceasefire and the full resumption of aid to Gaza.

Szijjártó, who met with Sa’ar in Brussels, said, “There will be strong pressure on us in Brussels to sanction Israeli settlers. That would be the wrong move. This is the time for diplomacy, not sanctions.” He also stressed the need for a swift hostage deal to secure the release of Omri Miran, a Hungarian-Israeli citizen held by Hamas.