France has backed calls to review the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel on the blockade of aid to Gaza.
The Netherlands has called for an urgent review of the association agreement between the bloc and Israel.
"This is a legitimate request and I call on the European Commission to examine it," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Info radio, quoted by AFP.
He stressed that relations between the EU and Israel are based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.
When asked if this meant that France was in favor of canceling the agreement, Barrot replied:
"Let's see what analysis the European Commission will make of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the agreement."
Barrot highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"I think we have to express the reality in words. The reality is that Palestinians in Gaza are starving, thirsty, have nothing, and that Gaza today is on the brink of chaos and famine," he said.
"I think everyone is aware of this," he said, describing the Israeli government's attitude as "incomprehensible."
"And it is precisely by expressing our opinion clearly that we can undoubtedly hope to influence the Israeli position," Baro concluded.
This week, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced that Brussels had offered Israel help in distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The 27 countries in the bloc are divided over their approach to Israel and the war in Gaza, with Spain and Ireland last year calling on the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel over violations they said had been committed in Gaza. | BGNES