What changed

B90189/2024

P9_TA(2024)0159

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

(2024/2616(RSP))

PE760.498

European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2024 on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries (2024/2616(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to itsRule previous144(5) resolutionsand on132(4) Gaza,of its Rules of Procedure,

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

A. whereas on 7 October 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, deliberately murdering 1 139 Israeli and foreign citizens; whereas 134 hostages are still being held in terrible conditions;

A. Whereas on 7thB. Octoberwhereas 2023,Parliament Hamashas terroristsrepeatedly committedcondemned athis long-planneddespicable attack on Israel, deliberately murdering 1 139 Israeli and foreignreaffirmed citizens;Israel’s whereasright Hamasto tookself-defence overwithin 240the peoplelimits hostage;of whereasinternational sincelaw; then,whereas theits disproportionate response of the Israeli armyresulted in Gazaover has30 resulted000 inpeople overbeing 30.800killed peopleand killed,70 75.000000 injured,injured includingin 70%Gaza womensince andthis children;attack;

B. Whereas the Parliament has repeatedly condemned the 7th October attack and reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence within the limits of international law, the need to increase humanitarian aid and to release all hostages; whereas it has repeatedly urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law, which outlines that attacks must only be directed at military objectives and that civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted;

C. whereas there is desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza; whereas, according to the WHO, almost 16 % of children in Gaza are already suffering from acute malnutrition; whereas Palestinians face terrible, life-threatening conditions because of lack of access to sufficient food, and other basic needs;

C. Whereas the UN warns that a quarter of the people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and a growing number of children are dying from starvation due to the lack of access to humanitarian aid, medical equipment, food, water, electricity and fuel; whereas most of the civilian infrastructure, including hospitals has been destroyed; whereas over 1.7 million people have been displaced and deadly diseases spread; whereas Israeli control over the Gaza Strip’s entry and exit points severely restricts aid;

D. whereas on 29 February 2024, over 100 Palestinians were tragically killed and 700 injured when Israeli troops opened fire during humanitarian aid deliveries; whereas, since 20 February 2024, the UN has suspended food deliveries to North Gaza after convoys faced attacks and looting;

D. Whereas, on 29th February over 100 Palestinians were killed when Israeli troops opened fire during humanitarian aid deliveries and 700 were injured; whereas this underscores the desperate humanitarian situation ; whereas since 20th February the UN has suspended food deliveries to North Gaza after convoys faced attacks and looting;

1. Strongly condemns the obstruction of humanitarian aid and attacks against humanitarian convoys; strongly condemns Hamas’ hijacking and looting of aid convoys; urges Israel to immediately allow and facilitate full, unimpeded, safe aid delivery into and throughout Gaza via all existing crossings; welcomes maritime aid corridors but recalls that land distribution must be prioritised;

1.2. stronglyStrongly condemns therepeated obstructionattacks ofon humanitariancivilians aidseeking byaid, Israeland on humanitarian and attacksmedical againstfacilities humanitarianand convoys;workers; deplores itstheir catastrophic impact on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children; condemns the killingurges ofall 161parties UNto aidimmediately workers,cease 340these healthattacks; workersdemands andan 7independent humanitarianinternational staff;investigation;

2. Calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a massive increase of humanitarian aid and the immediate release of all hostages;

3. Condemns the killing of 161 UN aid workers, 340 health workers, 7 humanitarian staff and 133 journalists and media workers;

3. Urges Israeli authorities again to urgently ensure safe access of humanitarian aid including by opening the Rafah, Kerem Shalom, Karmi and Erez crossings; warns against looming famine and demands the implementation of ICJ’s Order of 26 January 2024 regarding ‘‘immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance’’;

4. Reiterates its calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to address the looming risk of mass starvation in Gaza, and to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages; strongly condemns the rise in extremist settler violence and attacks by the Israeli armed forces against Palestinians in the West Bank, who have already killed hundreds and injured thousands of Palestinian civilians; strongly condemns the acceleration of the illegal settlement of Palestinian land, which constitutes a violation of international law; calls for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be given immediate access to all hostages being held in Gaza and to provide them with medical care;

4. Demands an international investigation to determine the responsibilities for the tragic events in February;

5. Expresses deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the risk of imminent starvation, the spread of diseases and the confirmed deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration; is concerned about aid deliveries in unsafe conditions; underlines the urgent need for rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access; urges the Israeli authorities again to reopen the Rafah, Kerem Shalom, Karmi and Erez crossings; recognises the indispensable role of UNRWA in the region;

5. Urges the EU to further increase aid for Gaza; welcomes its rapid response to provide medical, food and logistical support to the Palestinian population since October 2023; recalls the essential role played by UNRWA in providing basic aid to Gaza;

6. Expresses its deep concern about the risk of escalation of the conflict, in particular in Lebanon;

6. Urges the Israeli authorities to refrain from launching a ground operation in Rafah, the last refuge for more than one and a half million Palestinians; reminds Israel of its obligations under international humanitarian law;

7. Calls on Israel to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, and to comply with UNSC resolution 2712 demanding the use of ‘all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip’ to facilitate aid delivery; demands the implementation of the ICJ’s Orders of 26 January 2024, including ‘immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance’;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Secretary-General of the UN.

8. Welcomes the intention of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to debate Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of the Association Agreement with foreign ministers;

9. Demands the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure to prevent the catastrophic starvation and food insecurity from worsening; reiterates that every effort must be made to prevent further loss of innocent civilian lives;

10. Is firmly convinced that there can be no prospect of peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza or for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups play any role in the Gaza Strip; reiterates that terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.