On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation
B-9-2024-0073
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Jordi Solé, Francisco Guerreiro, Bronis Ropė, Alviina Alametsä, Nicolae Ştefănuță
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Parliament's resolution on Gaza calls for an immediate end to hostilities and a permanent ceasefire, and for the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.¶¶ It condemns Hamas's 7 October 2023 attacks and the taking of hostages as war crimes, and condemns Israel's disproportionate military response and its tactics in Gaza.¶¶¶ It demands the immediate lifting of the siege of Gaza and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and urges Israel to allow delivery of aid stored at the border.¶¶ It supports the work of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and urges all parties to respect any provisional measures the ICJ may order.¶¶ It warns of the risk of a wider regional war, calls for restraint by all states and parties, and asks the EU and member states to step up diplomacy, including on the Egyptian ceasefire plan.¶¶¶ It calls for a negotiated two-state solution, Palestinian governance in all Palestinian territories and an independent Palestinian state, and welcomes sanctions against violent settlers and an international peace conference.¶¶¶
Key points
- Urgently calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and agree on a permanent ceasefire.¶
- Calls for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all hostages held in Gaza, respect for their rights and dignity, and prosecution of the perpetrators.¶
- Condemns Hamas's terrorist attacks on Israel and states that deliberate killings of civilians and the taking of hostages are war crimes.¶
- Condemns Israel's disproportionate military response, its tactics subjecting Gaza's civilians to collective punishment, the use of white phosphorus, and attacks on hospitals, schools and shelters.¶¶
- Expresses deep concern about Israeli evacuation orders displacing civilians from northern to southern Gaza, and reminds Israel that expelling Palestinians without a right to return would be a war crime.¶¶
- Denounces Hamas's indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel as violations of international humanitarian law.¶
- Supports the work of the ICC and ICJ, takes note of Israel's engagement with the ICJ, and urges all parties to respect and implement any ICJ provisional measures.¶
- Denounces the killing of journalists, media workers, UN staff and health care workers, and urges the immediate lifting of the siege and full humanitarian access to all parts of Gaza.¶¶
- Condemns dehumanising and inflammatory language by some Israeli government and Knesset members and by Hamas representatives.¶
- Calls for a multilateral working group involving states and Israeli, Palestinian and international civil society, with Parliament willing to host an inaugural meeting.¶
- Calls on the VP/HR, the Commission and member states to use all diplomatic means to secure a ceasefire, react to Egypt's ceasefire plan, and condemn breaches of international law.¶¶
- Calls for a negotiated two-state solution, Palestinian governance in all Palestinian territories and an independent Palestinian state, and welcomes sanctions against violent settlers and an international peace conference.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Civilians in Gaza, subject to siege, displacement and military operations; the resolution demands an end to hostilities and humanitarian access.¶¶¶
- Hostages held in Gaza and their families; the resolution demands their immediate, unconditional and safe release.¶
- Israel and Hamas; both are condemned for attacks and called on to uphold international humanitarian law and cease hostilities.¶¶¶
- The VP/HR, the Commission and member states; they are asked to use diplomatic means, step up shuttle diplomacy and support accountability efforts.¶¶¶
- Journalists, media workers, UN staff and health care workers in Gaza; the resolution denounces their killing and stresses the importance of their work.¶
Figures and deadlines
- At least 1 200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed in the 7 October 2023 attack, including 36 children.¶
- Over 23 000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023, including 10 000 children; 70 % of those killed were women and children.¶
- Almost 60 000 Palestinians injured; at least 1.9 million people, or nearly 85 % of Gaza's population, internally displaced.
- Nearly 70 % of Gaza's 439 000 homes damaged or destroyed; 21 of Gaza's 36 hospitals closed.
- 250 persons abducted on 7 October 2023; Israeli authorities estimate 136 hostages remain captive in Gaza.¶
- A 24 November ceasefire led to the release of 105 Israelis and foreign nationals and 243 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
- According to the WHO, 93 % of Gaza's population is suffering from hunger.¶
- At least 81 journalists killed in Gaza since 7 October; over 136 UN staff killed by the end of 2023.¶