EU leaders have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, deploring the humanitarian situation there, as well as for the immediate release of all hostages.
In a statement, 27 EU leaders said they "[deplore] the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation".
The statement added: "The European Council calls on Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza."
Leaders insisted on the "protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers, at all times, as well as of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and UN premises".
The statement said the European Council "takes note" of the report into Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU Israel Association Agreement.
The review, circulated to member states last Friday, found that Israel was guilty of multiple breaches of Article 2.
Leaders suggested that foreign ministers "continue discussions on a follow-up, as appropriate, in July 2025, taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground".
On Iran, the 27 leaders welcomed the cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to "abide by international law, show restraint, and refrain from taking action which could lead to a new escalation."
The statement said the EU had "always been clear that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and that it must comply with its legally binding nuclear safeguard obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"The European Union will continue to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and to bring about a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, which can only be achieved through negotiations."
The statement comes after Taoiseach Micheál Martin called on Israel to stop attacking international reports on the situation in Gaza.
Israel has described a highly critical review of its actions in Gaza and the West Bank by EU officials - drawing on a plethora of UN and international investigations - as "outrageous and indecent".
Arriving at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, Mr Martin said: "Israel needs to stop denouncing every report that comes out, using objective criteria, to describe the situation in Gaza."
He said the review was not an "outrage" but a modest document that sought to objectively present the facts.
The Taoiseach added: "[The review] avoids emotional language, so that tactic and pattern of undermining those who would even question what's happening in Gaza - that has to stop."
Watch: Taoiseach calls on Israel to stop attacking international reports on the situation in Gaza
The EU summit comes against the backdrop of the week's upheaval in the Middle East, with ongoing divisions over how to respond to Israel's alleged breaches of the human rights obligations in its trade and political relations with the EU.
Earlier, Mr Martin said: "I will be saying to my European colleagues that the people of Europe find it incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to put pressure on Israel…to stop this war in Gaza, to stop the continuing slaughter of children and innocent civilians.
"The war must stop. There must be a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza [and] an end to the blockade."
Mr Martin acknowledged there were differing views among EU leaders on Israel’s response to the Hamas 7 October attacks.
However, he pointed out that the UK, Norway and Canada were moving ahead with sanctions against violent Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and against extreme right members of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
The Taoiseach yesterday said the inability of member states to take a unified position had become a stain on the European Union.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Gaza was in a "catastrophic situation of genocide" and urged the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel.
Mr Sanchez mentioned a recent human rights report by the bloc's diplomatic service which, he said, addressed "the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza".
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
