Israel’s ties with Europe strained by wars in Gaza and Lebanon

European leaders are trying to restrain Israel from pressing on with its wars in Gaza and Lebanon .

EU leaders are using their leverage to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into negotiating ceasefires.

Israel 's military strikes are now hitting UN peacekeeping bases in southern Lebanon , which house European troops.

The EU 's chief diplomat Josep Borrell said that too many people could die in that time.

EU and UK consider Hamas a terrorist organization and have repeatedly condemned its actions since October 7 .

The EU is Israel ’s biggest trade partner, with trade between Israel and the bloc totaling $50.7 billion ( 46.8 billion ) in 2022 .

Italy is the third largest supplier of arms to Israel , providing the Jewish state with helicopters and guns.

Germany is the second -largest supplier of weapons to Israel after the US .

Sion-Tzidkiyahu: EU 's relations with Israel “are still very strong” and remain “important to Israel ’s seat” The term is a reference to Germany 's special relationship with Israel due to its Nazi past, which saw the state systematically murder 6 million Jews in the Holocaust .