Kristersson’s condemnation also came after Israel increased work with international partners to deliver aid to civilians, coordinating the airdrop of aid across the Gaza Strip. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson demanded on Thursday that the European Union freeze trade with Israel until unrestricted humanitarian aid is allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

More than 1,000 people have been killed while trying to access humanitarian aid in Gaza since the end of May, according to the UN – one of the grim figures that are fuelling mounting European pressure on Israel over its ongoing blockade and severe aid restrictions.

Amnesty International's EU director, Eve Geddie, said such a proposal was "long overdue, limited in scope and grossly inadequate given the scale of Israel's serious violations of international law and the full range of political, diplomatic and economic tools available to the EU".