What changed

B90191/2024

B90192/2024

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 itsthe Rules of Procedure,Procedure

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;

A. whereas on 7 October 2023 the terrorist organisation Hamas launched a massive, unprovoked, brutal attack against Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands and abducting 240 people; whereas the despicable attack perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, considered the most serious one suffered by the country since its foundation, is the cause of a armed conflict currently affecting the region;

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;

B. whereas more than 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza in terrible conditions;

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;

C. whereas there are serious allegations of Hamas stealing and destroying humanitarian aid such as food sent to the 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;

D. whereas there is a desperate situation of food insecurity and impending famine in Gaza; whereas according to WHO, almost 16% of children in Gaza are already suffering from acute malnutrition; whereas Palestinians face terrible conditions putting their lives at risk because of lack of access to sufficient food and other basic needs; whereas humanitarian food assistance is now nearly the sole source of subsistence since the people in Gaza are unable to rely on markets and other usual sources of food;

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;

E. While over 100 trucks a day of humanitarian assistance are now being distributed to those in need but this level is still significantly below the levels needed to meet minimum requirements to avert famine;

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;

F. whereas on 29 February more than a hundred Palestinians died and many other were wounded while waiting for humanitarian aid in trucks near Gaza, under Israeli military control; whereas there is an urgent need for the entry of essential goods and there is lack of open access points at the borders;

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

1. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;

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;

2. Calls on both Israel and Hamas to ensure uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law, to fully cooperate with the UN agencies and other humanitarian actors and to allow free, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access through all crossing points and continue opening humanitarian corridors for the civilian population;

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;

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

3.4. SupportsWelcomes theinternational continuationefforts ofto humanitarianestablish a comprehensive aid enteringstrategy Gazathat andincludes stressesair, thatland, itand mustsea reachroutes thoseto civiliansmaximize inthe need;flow stronglyof condemnshumanitarian Hamas’aid hijackinginto Gaza and lootingensure ofthat aid convoys;is distributed to everyone in need;

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;

5. 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;

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

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Government of Israel.

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the relevant parties.