EU launches €883.6m Gaza recovery initiative and weighs settlement trade sanctions as West Bank raids and a Gaza aid worker killing occur

The European Union announced a new aid initiative for Gaza and discussed possible trade restrictions on Israeli settlements, while Israeli forces and settlers carried out raids and demolitions in the West Bank and a Palestinian aid driver was killed in Gaza.

• The European Union launched the "Team Gaza" initiative worth €883.6 million to coordinate early recovery in Gaza, with 13 countries and international institutions participating.
• EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss options to curb trade with Israeli settlements, including an import licensing system, tariffs, or a ban.
• Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir entered the village of al-Mughayyir near Ramallah, and Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Kafr al-Dik, displacing a family of five.
• A Palestinian driver transporting aid for World Central Kitchen was shot dead by an Israeli soldier on the Philadelphi corridor; the IDF said it opened fire after perceiving a threat.

Latest developments

• German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed his country's opposition to EU sanctions on Israel over settlement expansion, saying he prefers effective talks with the Israeli government.
• Wadephul argued that trade restrictions on settlement goods require unanimous approval, effectively blocking European efforts to penalize Israel over its settlement policies.
• Proponents of imposing sanctions on settlements are seeking to challenge Germany's stance, arguing that only a qualified majority—not unanimity—is needed for a decision.