Israel Faces Escalating Regional and Global Pressure Amid Gaza Offensive
Israel is coming under mounting regional and international pressure as it pursues a new security deal with Syria, faces potential EU sanctions, and encounters growing calls from Muslim leaders for unified defense against its actions.
According to Axios, Israel has proposed a security arrangement with Syria that includes the establishment of demilitarized and no-fly zones stretching from southwest Damascus to the Israeli border. An Israeli official cited maintaining an air corridor to Iran through Syria as one of the proposal’s key principles. Foreign ministers from both sides are expected to meet in London with U.S. mediation, though Damascus has not yet issued a formal response and is preparing a counter-proposal.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed sanctions on Israel, a move that follows a UN commission’s confirmation that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The European Commission stated that Israel has breached Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which requires the respect of human rights and democratic principles.
The proposal cites specific actions by Israel, including its recent blocking of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the planned E1 settlement project, which would prevent the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state. The sanctions proposal targets a number of individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as other Israeli ministers and settlers involved in violence. Additionally, the proposal includes sanctions on ten members of the Hamas politburo.
If adopted, the sanctions would result in Israel losing its free trade privileges with the EU, its primary trading partner, a move that could cost the country an estimated €227 million annually in duties. The proposal requires the unanimous support of all 27 EU member states to pass. The article notes that the measures have been criticized by Euro-Med Monitor as being “limited, selective, and perpetuate impunity,” arguing that the EU has a legal obligation to address the root causes of the suffering of the Palestinian people.
In the Muslim world, Pakistan’s defense minister criticized U.S. backing of Israeli military operations, urging the creation of a NATO-style “Islamic military alliance” for collective defense. The Pakistani prime minister, speaking at an Arab-Islamic summit, called for joint action to revoke Israel’s UN membership.
These developments coincide with Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza, which has already left nearly 90 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. The assault has drawn global condemnation. Turkey, Canada, France, Italy, Egypt, and Jordan denounced the operation as a flagrant violation of international law and a grave threat to civilians. The UN Secretary-General described conditions in Gaza as “horrific,” demanding an immediate ceasefire and accountability for Israel’s actions. Scotland has also urged sanctions against Israel.
Taken together, the moves by Europe, the Islamic world, and global powers highlight intensifying diplomatic isolation for Israel as its military campaign in Gaza deepens the humanitarian crisis.
