ISTANBUL

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called on the European Union on Thursday to freeze the trade component of its association agreement with Israel and increase economic pressure.

Sweden demands the EU, as soon as possible, freeze the trade component of the association agreement and increase economic pressure on Israel, Kristersson wrote on X, pointing to the "utterly deplorable" situation in Gaza.

He urged the Israeli government to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza.

"Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid," Kristersson noted.

He also called for the "immediate" and "unconditional" release of all hostages.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages.

On Monday, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s healthcare system.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.