Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has confirmed that 17 European countries are examining the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel, with the majority in favour of punitive measures in response to the worsening situation in Gaza.

“It is simply unacceptable to see women and children dying of hunger and thirst,” Prévot said, urging immediate action to lift the siege on Gaza. He also revealed that Belgium is working on ways to establish an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid, as conditions in the besieged enclave reach catastrophic levels.

For the third consecutive day, Israeli forces have blocked the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza, despite prior commitments. According to the Gaza media office, no legal or humanitarian justification has been provided, and the blockade is now pushing essential services to the brink, with severe shortages of food, medicine, water, and fuel.

Tensions escalated further when Israeli soldiers opened fire on a diplomatic delegation visiting the Jenin refugee camp. The delegation, which included representatives from 22 countries, was assessing the humanitarian situation on the ground when it came under live fire. Prévot expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it a “shocking breach” that endangers diplomatic personnel and further isolates Israel on the world stage.

The attack has sparked international condemnation and intensified calls for accountability, as more voices across Europe and beyond demand an end to the collective punishment of civilians and protection for humanitarian and diplomatic missions.