France, Germany, Italy push for EU sanctions against Hamas leaders

PARIS — The French, German and Italian foreign ministers called on the European Union on Monday to quickly adopt more sanctions against Hamas for its “atrocious and indiscriminate terror attacks” against Israel on Oct. 7. The three states are specifically pushing for additional individual sanctions against Hamas leaders. The issue is expected to be discussed at length during the monthly meeting Monday of the European foreign ministers. 

It is important for the EU to take “all necessary measures against the terrorist group Hamas and its supporters,” said a letter sent by the three foreign ministers to the EU Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell. “The swift adoption of this sanctions regime will allow us to send a strong political message about the European Union’s commitment against Hamas and our solidarity with Israel,” the letter added.  

Addressing reporters upon her arrival to Brussels for the monthly Foreign Affairs Council, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Monday morning that the three countries proposed “a new sanctions regime” targeting Hamas, which already proscribed the militant group as a terrorist organization. 

“We must go much further, to enable more individual sanctions,” she added.