On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation

B90077/2024

European Parliament resolution on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation

(2024/2508(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2023 on the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza,

–having regard to the EU terrorist list, which includes Hamas as a terrorist organisation,

–having regard to Articles 2(4) and 51 of the UN Charter, which ensure the right of self-defence,

–having regard to UN Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023) of 22 December 2023 on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,

–having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 7 October 2023, the terrorist organisation Hamas carried out an unprecedented terrorist attack against Israel by air, land and sea, firing thousands of rockets into southern and central Israel and indiscriminately killing hundreds of civilians and abducting over 200 hostages;

B.whereas the targeting and abduction of civilian hostages, as well as the use of civilians as human shields, constitute serious war crimes;

C.whereas the EU and its Member States have strongly condemned the crimes committed by Hamas and have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza;

D.whereas during a humanitarian pause, hostages were released in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees;

E.whereas Israel, as a sovereign and democratic state, has the right to self-defence under international law and is entitled to carry out military operations to eliminate Hamas in order to protect its population;

F.whereas any escalation of this war resulting in the opening of other fronts by Hezbollah, Iran or other organisations or countries would increase tensions in the region and lead to even greater human suffering and political instability;

G.whereas the UN Security Council reaffirmed, in its resolution of 22 December 2023, ‘its strong concern for the disproportionate effect that the conflict is having on the lives and well-being of children, women, and other civilians in vulnerable situations’;

1.Reaffirms its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the despicable terrorist attacks committed by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel and expresses its support for the State of Israel and its people; reiterates that the terrorist organisation Hamas needs to be eliminated;

2.Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who have been taken by the terrorist group Hamas, for humanitarian access to be ensured in order to address the medical needs of all hostages and for the bodies of deceased hostages to be returned; recalls that the taking of hostages is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime;

3.Underlines the importance of differentiating between the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations on the one hand, and the Hamas terrorist organisation and its acts of terror on the other hand;

4.Stresses that the UN Security Council, in its resolution of 22 December 2023, ‘reiterates its demand that all parties to the conflict comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law’ and ‘recalls that civilian and humanitarian facilities, and facilities of the UN, as well as humanitarian personnel, and medical personnel, and their means of transport, must be respected and protected, according to international humanitarian law’;

5.Calls for regular humanitarian pauses to ensure the distribution of food and other necessary supplies throughout Gaza; underlines that further border crossings from Israel could be opened for this purpose;

6.Demands that the EU, in coordination with the United States, after the rule of Hamas has ended, commit to establishing a robust mandate for Gaza under the aegis of the UN, where a strong international presence will first provide a constant flow of humanitarian aid and then start the reconstruction of Gaza, while at the same time ensuring that no terrorist threat against Israel persists; stresses that this must then lead to a peace process, including negotiations that will ensure a pacification of the conflict and will see elections taking place;

7.Reiterates its call on the Commission and the Council to promptly initiate de-escalation measures aimed at averting the potential escalation of current tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border into a full-scale conflict; underlines the importance of applying UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August 2006 on the situation in the Middle East;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Knesset and Government of Israel.