The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has said Israeli airstrikes in Gaza "go beyond what is necessary" to fight Hamas as the death till there continues to mount.
Ms. Kallas also said the EU did not support a new aid distribution model backed by the US and Israel, which bypasses the UN and other humanitarian organisations.
Her remarks follow an intervention by the new German chancellor who declared he "no longer understands" Israel's objectives in the besieged enclave.
The EU is one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to Gaza, yet Ms. Kallas said most of it was currently unable to get to Palestinians who need it.
Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza in March and only began allowing a trickle of aid after 11 weeks.