Sweden calls for EU sanctions on "Israeli" ministers

Sweden announced Tuesday it would push the EU to impose sanctions on specific "Israeli" ministers, citing a lack of progress in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"Since we do not see a clear improvement for the civilians in Gaza, we need to raise the tone further," Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told Agence France-Presse (AFP) during an EU ministers’ meeting in Brussels. "We will therefore now also push for EU sanctions against individual Israeli ministers."

According to Stenergard, the proposed sanctions would target those “who are pushing an illegal settlement policy and actively opposing a future two-state solution.” The exact officials under consideration will be determined through ongoing EU discussions.

Despite the move, Stenergard emphasized that Sweden remains a “friend of Israel.” Still, she expressed deep concern over the "Israeli" government’s actions and rhetoric. “In all of our contacts with the Israeli government, we have long demanded increased humanitarian access and have been very critical of the fact that they have not secured it,” she said, adding that Stockholm is troubled by “how the Israeli government continues to escalate the situation, both in terms of statements and actions.”

Her comments come amid a renewed "Israeli" military campaign in Gaza. Over the weekend, the Israeli army intensified its offensive, declaring its intent to dismantle Hamas.

After weeks of international pressure and worsening conditions, humanitarian aid began flowing back into Gaza on Monday for the first time in over two months. A UN spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that "Israel" had cleared the delivery of approximately 100 additional trucks of aid.

Meanwhile, "Israel's" leadership has signaled plans for a deeper incursion into the enclave. Earlier this month, the "Israeli" security cabinet approved a strategy that includes what one official described as the “conquest” of Gaza and the forced displacement of its population. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “Israel will take control of all the territory of the strip.”