EU's Kallas condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza, vows sanctions

BRUSSELS - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday condemned Israel's ground offensive in Gaza, warning it would intensify civilian suffering and deepen the region's humanitarian crisis.

"Israel's ground offensive in Gaza will make an already desperate situation even worse," Kallas wrote on X, adding that it will mean more deaths, destruction and displacement.

She said the European Commission will unveil measures on Wednesday aimed at pressuring Israel to change course, including suspending trade concessions and sanctioning extremist ministers and violent settlers.

Her comments came as a UN commission concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and urged an immediate end to the violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel had launched an "intense operation" in Gaza City. Health authorities in Gaza reported at least 37 people killed and dozens missing in the city, with four more deaths elsewhere in the enclave.