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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2508(RSP))

On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation

B-9-2024-0068

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Pedro Marques, Evin Incir

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 19 Oct 2026

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A resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip. It condemns the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023 and Hamas's use of sexualised violence, and calls for accountability and investigation of possible war crimes. It demands that all parties allow humanitarian aid delivery, that channels be kept permanently open, that Egypt and Israel cooperate on humanitarian corridors, and that the blockade of Gaza end. It calls for continued EU support and increased funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and for EU funding to the Palestinian Authority. It warns of regional escalation, calls for restraint and implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and calls for EU sanctions on states and entities that supported Hamas, notably Iran and Qatar. It reiterates the two-state solution along the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, calls for an end to the occupation, and condemns settler violence.

Key points

  1. Calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to violence, de-escalation and full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law.
  2. Stresses that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and calls on Israel to cease all indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
  3. Reiterates condemnation of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023 and strongly condemns Hamas's systematic use of sexualised violence as a weapon of war.
  4. Calls on Hamas and other groups to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages, allow those in need of medical care to access it, and end attacks against Israel's territory and population.
  5. Expresses deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and underlines the urgent need for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.
  6. Demands that all parties allow, facilitate and enable delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.
  7. Calls for channels to be opened and kept permanently open for humanitarian aid, urges Egypt and Israel to cooperate on humanitarian corridors, and reiterates its call for an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
  8. Emphasises the crucial role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is sheltering over 1 million internally displaced persons, and calls for continued political support and increased financial resources for it.
  9. Recalls that civilian and humanitarian facilities, personnel and their means of transport must be respected and protected, condemns the killing of UN staff, humanitarian and medical personnel and journalists, and calls for accountability and investigation of possible war crimes.
  10. Condemns dehumanising and inflammatory statements by senior Israeli ministers and officials, and condemns the spike in antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab/anti-Palestinian racism across Europe.
  11. Warns of the risk of the conflict escalating to encompass the wider Middle East, calls on all states and actors to show maximum restraint, and calls for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
  12. Denounces third states' and non-state entities' support to Hamas, calls for investigations into the origins of funds and arms, and calls for EU sanctions on states and entities that facilitated the attacks, notably Iran and Qatar.

Who is affected

  • Civilians in the Gaza Strip, who face a deteriorating humanitarian crisis and need full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
  • Hamas and other groups, which are called on to release all hostages unconditionally and end attacks against Israel.
  • Israel, which is called on to cease indiscriminate attacks, end the blockade and cooperate on humanitarian corridors.
  • Egypt and Israel, which are urged to fully cooperate with the international community to establish humanitarian corridors to the Gaza Strip.
  • Iran and Qatar, which the resolution calls on the EU to sanction for facilitating Hamas's attacks.

Figures and deadlines

  • More than 200 Israeli and foreign citizens kidnapped on 7 October 2023, including Europeans.
  • 136 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive.
  • 1.9 million people considered internally displaced within the Gaza Strip.
  • Over 23 000 Palestinians reported killed and over 59 000 estimated injured.
  • Approximately 70 % of the fatalities have been women and children.
  • Over 330 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since 7 October 2023.
  • 404 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians recorded by the UN since 7 October 2023.
  • At least 148 UN staff, 337 health workers and 117 journalists killed.