What changed

B90187/2024

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(5) and 132(4)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 since 9.10.2023 the near-total siege of Gaza hinders entry of food, water, medicines, hygienic products and other crucial supplies;

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;

B. whereas according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), all 2.2 million people in Gaza face alarming levels of acute food insecurity, the highest ever classified by IPC, with 50% experiencing starvation; whereas at least 15 children died from malnutrition and dehydration;

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 on 26.1.24, the ICJ ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to provide basic services and humanitarian assistance to Gaza; whereas according to UNRWA, 50% less aid entered Gaza in February than in January 2024; whereas more than 2000 aid trucks are waiting in Rafah crossing;

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;

D. whereas, amongst others, UN experts condemned Israel for using starvation as weapon of war, prohibited under international humanitarian law;

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;

E. whereas on 8.3.24 the EU and partners announced a maritime aid corridor to Gaza;

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;

F. whereas at least 162 UNRWA staff were killed in Gaza; whereas following allegations by Israel against 12 UNRWA staff, which are currently being investigated, major donors suspended funding to UNRWA, impairing its crucial role in alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe;

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

1. Calls for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages;

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;

2. Condemns that the disproportionate Israeli military response to the Hamas terror attacks causes an unprecedented civilian death toll, immense destruction, a deadly humanitarian crisis and imminent risk of famine, creating an environment of despair and chaos, particularly for children and women, including the sexual and reproductive rights of the latter;

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;

3. Urges Israel to immediately allow and facilitate full, unimpeded, safe aid delivery into and throughout Gaza via all existing crossings, in line with its international obligations and ICJ orders; welcomes maritime aid corridors but reminds that land distribution needs to be the priority;

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’;

4. Strongly condemns repeated attacks on humanitarian convoys, civilians seeking aid, humanitarian and medical facilities and workers; urges all parties to immediately cease these attacks; demands an independent, international investigation, including by the ICC, into all possible war crimes, including the “flour massacre” involving the IDF ;

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;

5. Calls for the establishment of secure, uninterrupted humanitarian corridors and full security for humanitarian and medical workers;

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

6. Asks the EU and Member States to use all leverage to pressure Israel to comply with ICJ orders and urge all parties to respect international law; welcomes HR/VP announcement to check Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of the Association Agreement; calls on Member States to comply with EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on arms exports;

7. Welcomes the EU´s partial release of its 2024 contribution to UNRWA, recognizing its indispensable role in Gaza and the region; calls on the EU to increase aid to Gaza; urges the Commission to disburse all remaining allocations to UNRWA, including the agreed top-up; calls on Member States that suspended funding to reverse their decisions;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the concerned parties;