What changed

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 144144(5) and 132(4) of theits Rules of ProcedureProcedure,

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;

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;

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

B. whereas Parliament has repeatedly condemned this despicable attack and reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence within the limits of international law; whereas its disproportionate response resulted in over 30 000 people being killed and 70 000 injured in Gaza since this attack;

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

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;

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;

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, the UN has suspended food deliveries to North Gaza after convoys faced attacks and looting;

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;

1. Strongly condemns the obstruction of humanitarian aid and attacks against humanitarian 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;

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;

2. Strongly condemns repeated attacks on civilians seeking aid, and on humanitarian and medical facilities and workers; deplores their catastrophic impact on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children; urges all parties to immediately cease these attacks; demands an independent international investigation;

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

4. Welcomes international efforts to establish a comprehensive aid strategy that includes air, land, and sea routes to maximize the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensure that aid is distributed to everyone in need;

6. 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’;

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;

7. 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;

6.8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR ofUN, the Union for Foreign Affairs andGovernment Securityof PolicyIsrael and the Government ofPalestinian Israel.Authority.