A number of EU countries have expressed their willingness to support restrictions against Israel

A number of European Union (EU) member states, including France, are ready to support restrictions on Israel amid the military operation in the Gaza Strip. This was reported on September 16 by the newspaper Les Echos.

It is specified that the European Commission (EC) may propose suspending the trade component of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel.

"Spain, Ireland and Belgium support the commission's proposals. France too," the article says.

At the same time, it is emphasized that Paris has become the driving force in the support. The Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria, in turn, did not support the initiative to impose restrictions.

It is expected that Brussels may publish proposals on sanctions against Israel as early as this week.

To defeat: Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza

As of September 15, more than 60 people were killed.

Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground operation to occupy Gaza City. It is accompanied by massive strikes throughout the enclave. The country's defense ministry clarified that the army will carry out strikes until it defeats the Lebanese Shiite Hamas movement and releases the hostages.

Prior to that, on September 10, EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced her intention to limit cooperation with Israel, impose sanctions against members of the government and suspend the association agreement with the EU after the attack on the Hamas negotiating delegation in Doha. According to her, the EC proposes to impose sanctions on a number of Israeli ministers, as well as a partial suspension of the association agreement on trade-related issues.

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