What changed

B90186/2024

B90191/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

The European Parliament,

–− having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas after October 7, Israel tightened the blockade of the Gaza and prevent the entry of most food, water, medicine and other humanitarian supplies; Israel’s ongoing attacks and siege of the territory are wide;

A. whereas Hamas, an internationally recognised terrorist organisatio;excercisng since 2007 full control over Gaza, on 7 October 2023 launched a murderous assault on Israel in which it killed, raped and tortured over a thousand men, women and children indiscriminately, and took at least 240 people to Gaza as hostages, including children;

B. whereas attacks on aid workers and aid trucks, as well as civilian infrastructure have severely restricted humanitarian agencies’ ability; on 29 February, more than 100 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured when Israeli forces opened fire near an aid convoy;

B. whereas despite Hamas calling for a ceasefire, it has consistently rejected proposals to free the remaining 136 hostages held in its captivity and end the current war; whereas it is believed that Hamas killed a number of Israeli hostages while in captivity; whereas hostages that were freed during an earlier humanitarian pause, recounted psychological, physical and sexual abuse by their captors;

C. whereas on 26 January, the ICJ made its interim ruling ordering Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide, and to take immediate steps to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza;

C. whereas despite aid entering Gaza, the ICRC, or any other organisation, has still not been allowed access to the Israeli hostages in captivity by Hamas;

D. whereas at the end of February, one-quarter of the population was facing a high risk of starvation, one in six children under the age of two in northern Gaza suffers from acute malnutrition and wasting; whereas on March 6, South Africa requested the ICJ to urgently indicate further provisional measures in light of the new facts, particularly the situation of widespread starvation, to ensure the safety and security of 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza;

D. whereas aid in limited quantity has entered into Gaza, including water, food, medical equipment and fuel; whereas reports have noted issues concerning the disbursement of aid, including chaotic scenes, Hamas taking over aid convoys and redirecting aid to its own fighters in Gaza;

1. Calls for an unconditional, immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza Strip and for uninterrupted access to humanitarian aid for all its inhabitants;

E. whereas the data of Palestinian deaths and wounded provided by Hamas and Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza are unreliable and include Hamas terrorists and is being misused as an essential element of pro-Palestinian propaganda, blurring both the cause and the course of the Israeli military operation in Gaza against Hamas;

2. Recalls that the deliberate use of starvation by depriving civilians of objects indispensable to their survival including food, water and shelter, is a war crime under the Geneva conventions and the Rome statute;

F. whereas on 26 February 2024, PA Prime Minister resigned amid growing US pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to shake up the PA in order to allow it to take a greater role in ruling post-war Gaza;

3. Recalls Israel's responsibility to fully comply with international law and urges the authorities to end the illegal blockade of Gaza and fully cooperate with UN and other humanitarian agencies, allow free, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access through all crossing points, open the port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid and allow a direct humanitarian corridor from Jordan;

G. whereas terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

4. Highlights that UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in providing critical aid to ensure the day to day survival of 2.2 million civilians in Gaza; rejects the suspension of funding to UNRWA and calls on the EU and its Member States to grant UNRWA support with proper funding;

1. Regrets the loss of innocent lives and the heavy toll on civilians in the ongoing war; deplores the terrorism and war crimes committed by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups against Israel and against the Israeli and Palestinian people;

5. Condemns that Israel has not taken any steps to comply with the ICJ ruling despite being investigated as a plausible perpetrator of genocide; calls on the EU and the MS to immediately comply with the legally binding orders issued by the court; including an immediate, comprehensive two-way arms embargo against Israel until it demonstrably aligns with its obligations; urges Member States to cease immediately all exports of arms and military technology to Israel, conforming to Council decision 2008/944/CFSP.

2. Calls for all Israeli hostages held in Gaza to be immediately and unconditionally released; calls for the ICRC to be given immediate access to all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza and provide them with medical care;

6. Warns Member States and the European Commission that the Genocide Convention includes an obligation on States to refrain from complicity in genocide.

3. Supports the continuation of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and stresses that it must reach those civilians in need; strongly condemns Hamas’ hijacking and looting of aid convoys;

7. Calls for an impartial international investigation into the 29 February massacre;

4. is strongly convinced that there will be no prospects for peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza as well as for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups will play any role in the Gaza Strip ; reiterates that terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

8. calls for the immediate suspension of the Association Agreement;

5. Calls for the EU, in cooperation with the Member States, to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at halting the radicalisation of young Palestinians;

9.6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council andrelevant Commission;parties.