EU must freeze trade with Israel until more aid enters Gaza, Swedish PM demands

Kristersson’s condemnation also came after Israel increased work with international partners to deliver aid to civilians, coordinating the airdrop of aid across the Gaza Strip.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson demanded on Thursday that the European Union freeze trade with Israel until unrestricted humanitarian aid is allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

“The situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid,” Kristersson wrote on X/Twitter.

“Sweden, therefore, demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freeze the trade component of the association agreement. Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

Kristersson’s accusation comes amid growing international discord over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While both Israel and the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have repeatedly refuted claims of famine and deliberate starvation in the Strip, international organizations have levied the claims in their condemnations of the ongoing war against Hamas.

Humanitarian aid in Gaza

Nearly 100,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since October 7, carrying food, medical supplies, hygiene products, and other essentials, according to the Media Line.

While calling for pressure on Israel, the Swedish PM also insisted that Hamas be pressured to release the 50 remaining hostages “immediately and unconditionally.” He did not comment on how such pressure may be applied.

“Sweden welcomes the fact that more countries in the Middle East are demanding that Hamas be disarmed and not have a role in the future governance of Gaza,” he wrote.

Pressure on Israel or Hamas

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told Dagens Nyheter that the Swedish government has made clear over the past several weeks that it intended to increase pressure on the Jewish state for a ceasefire in Gaza – despite the US claiming Hamas was not being serious in its negotiations.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said last week, following the Israeli delegation’s return from Doha, “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.

“It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”

Stenergard also claimed that Israel had not reacted proportionally to Hamas’s violation of a ceasefire agreement on October 7, 2023.

The terror group invaded southern Israel and murdered some 1,200 people, abducting over 250 men, women, and children – 50 of whom remain in captivity.

Testimonies from released hostages have revealed that many of those remaining in captivity have been exposed to deliberate starvation and acts of torture by the Palestinian terror group.

“I feel that the international community and the EU have consistently recognized Israel’s right to defend itself while emphasizing that there must be proportionality. It has, in recent times, become increasingly obvious that Israel is not living up to its commitments to protect civilians,” she accused. “Sweden has done enough, but collectively what has been done has not been enough; we have not seen the results on the ground we hoped for.”

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.