EU's Borrell hints at sanctions against Israeli far-right leaders Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

Key European Union (EU) foreign policy figure Josep Borrell Fontelles has warned that Israeli far-right figures are inciting war crimes and could face sanctions from the European body.

Borrell, who has been perceived as largely supportive of Israel, serves as the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, giving him significant influence over the body's foreign policy.

On Monday, Borrell made the strongly worded statement on X criticising Israel and mentioning far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich by name, both accused of extremist rhetoric and trying to scupper a truce for Gaza.

Both leaders have been accused of extreme human rights violations, with Smotrich calling for Gaza to be starved into submission and Ben-Gvir demanding aid and fuel be cut to the enclave's 2.3 million population.

"While the World pushes for a ceasefire in #Gaza, Min. Ben Gvir calls for cutting fuel & aid to civilians," he wrote on X.

"Like Min. Smotrich sinister statements, this is an incitement to war crimes. Sanctions must be on our EU agenda."

Borrell then said he backed UN human rights chief Volker Turk's concerns about the extremist rhetoric of Ben-Gvir.

"I urge the Israeli government to unequivocally distance itself from these incitements to commit war crimes, and call it to engage in good faith in the negotiations facilitated by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt for an immediate ceasefire," he added.

Borrell, who is due to retire soon, has been increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, including the targeting of 10 schools by Israel in recent days, including an attack on Saturday that killed dozens of civilians.

"Horrified by images from a sheltering school in Gaza hit by an Israeli strike, w/ reportedly dozens of Palestinian victims. At least 10 schools were targeted in the last weeks. There’s no justification for these massacres We are dismayed by the terrible overall death toll," he said shortly after the massacre.

"Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war. We regret & condemn Minister Smotrich opposition – against the interest of the Israeli people – to a deal. A ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing of civilians and secure the hostages’ release."

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have both called for Gaza's Palestinian population to be expelled and for Jewish settlers to re-occupy the enclave, leading to widespread condemnation.

"Very disturbed by high-level Israeli officials’ statements on plans to transfer civilians from Gaza to third countries... international law prohibits forcible transfer of protected persons within or deportation from occupied territory," Turk wrote on X.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have both strongly opposed any ceasefire deal with Hamas, saying it would be tantamount to Israel surrendering.

Israel has killed over 39,897 Palestinians in its 10-month war on Gaza, mostly civilians, and completely devastated infrastructure in the enclave.