On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation
B-9-2024-0075
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Charlie Weimers, Elżbieta Kruk, Veronika Vrecionová, Anna Zalewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Zdzisław Krasnodębski, BertJan Ruissen, Hermann Tertsch, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Alexandr Vondra, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
A motion for a resolution on Gaza, a ceasefire and regional escalation. It condemns Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack and abuses of hostages, backs Israel's right to self-defence, and calls for all hostages to be released.¶¶¶ It supports continued humanitarian aid to Gaza and condemns Hamas's looting of convoys. Any ceasefire must include release of all Israeli hostages and accountability for war crimes.¶ It rules out any future role for Hamas in Gaza, calls on the Palestinian Authority to condemn terrorism, and says no EU funding may reach terrorist organisations.¶¶ It calls for an EU strategy against radicalisation of young Palestinians, action against support for Hamas on European streets, and measures against Iran, Russia and their proxies.¶¶¶ It calls for investigations into Hamas's international contacts and into UNRWA's activities and teaching material in Gaza, and withdraws a previous recommendation on relations with the Palestinian Authority.¶¶¶ It rejects South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel at the International Court of Justice and supports the court.¶¶
Key points
- Deplores terrorism and war crimes by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, and condemns reported torture and sexual abuse of Israeli hostages, including children.¶
- Regrets civilian deaths on both sides, expresses concern at the reported Palestinian death toll, and deplores Hamas's use of civilian infrastructure, tunnels and human shields.¶
- Calls for the ICRC to be given immediate access to all Israeli hostages and for all hostages to be released immediately, safely and unconditionally.¶
- Stresses that international law must apply at all times, backs Israel's right to self-defence, and rejects moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel.¶
- Supports continued humanitarian aid allowed by Israel and Egypt, condemns Hamas's hijacking of aid convoys, and says any ceasefire must include release of all hostages and accountability.¶
- Says there can be no future role for Hamas in Gaza, calls for its leaders to be held to account, and asks the Palestinian Authority to condemn Palestinian terrorism.¶
- Says no EU funding may go directly or indirectly to terrorist organisations or incitement, and voices concern at people affiliated with listed groups seeking Palestinian political office.¶
- Calls for an EU strategy with member states to halt radicalisation of young Palestinians, and urges local authorities to crack down on support for Hamas terrorism and calls for murder.¶
- Condemns Iran's and Russia's interference in the Middle East and support for proxies, and calls for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006).¶
- Warns against escalation by Iran and its proxies, deplores Houthi attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping, and welcomes the US-led 'Operation Prosperity Guardian'.¶
- Calls for the EU to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Houthis and Hezbollah in full as terrorist organisations and to limit Iranian diplomatic missions in Europe.¶
- Calls for investigations into Hamas's international contacts and into UNRWA's activities and teaching material in Gaza, and withdraws its 12 July 2023 recommendation on relations with the Palestinian Authority.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Israel: the text backs its right to self-defence and its humanitarian aid transfers, and rejects genocide allegations against it.¶¶¶
- Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups: condemned, excluded from any future role in Gaza, and their leaders to be held to account.¶¶
- The Palestinian Authority: asked to distance itself from incitement and terrorist organisations and to condemn Palestinian terrorism.
- Iran, Russia and their proxies: condemned for interference and support for terrorism; EU terrorist designations and limits on Iranian missions sought.¶¶
- UNRWA: its activities and teaching material in Gaza to be investigated, with measures against staff who glorified the 7 October attack.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 7 October 2023: date of the Hamas attack on Israel.¶
- Over 3 000 rockets fired by Hamas at Israel during the attack.
- Over 1 200 men, women and children killed in more than 15 villages and cities.
- At least 240 people taken to Gaza as hostages.
- 136 Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza.¶
- 24 to 30 November 2023: period in which Hamas released 81 Israeli hostages.¶
- Over 7 500 trucks with over 138 000 tonnes of aid allowed into Gaza by Israel.¶
- According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, 24 100 Palestinians died and over 60 000 were wounded since 7 October 2023.¶