Trending 
Foreign ministers from Israel and Egypt joined senior European Union officials in Brussels on Monday for the fifth EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting, marking the first of such gatherings since the October 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s military response in Gaza.
The escalating crisis in the Middle East took centre stage during the high-level talks. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Hamas of exploiting humanitarian aid for its own benefit. “Hamas is trying to stop people from getting the aid directly because they want to be the mediators,” he said. “That’s how it became a financial resource for Hamas in the Gaza Strip.”
In sharp contrast, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty painted a dire humanitarian picture. “Every day now, more than 100 civilians in Gaza are being killed,” he stated. “Their only crime is waiting for food to survive. It is shameful for us to accept this happening daily.” Abdelatty described the situation as “awful,” pointing to widespread starvation, continuous bombardments, and a desperate need for international intervention.
Despite the clear divisions, the EU signalled plans to strengthen cooperation with Israel and nine other southern neighbours, including countries such as Syria and Libya.
When asked about reports that the European Union is considering punitive measures over alleged violations of the EU-Israel Association Agreement—including possibly suspending visa-free travel or halting imports from Israeli settlements—Sa’ar appeared unbothered. The Israeli foreign minister made no direct comment on the potential EU response.
