On the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

B90186/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

(2024/2616(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas after October 7, Israel tightened the blockade of the Gaza and prevent the entry of most food, water, medicine and other humanitarian supplies; Israel’s ongoing attacks and siege of the territory are wide;

B. whereas attacks on aid workers and aid trucks, as well as civilian infrastructure have severely restricted humanitarian agencies’ ability; on 29 February, more than 100 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured when Israeli forces opened fire near an aid convoy;

C. whereas on 26 January, the ICJ made its interim ruling ordering Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide, and to take immediate steps to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza;

D. whereas at the end of February, one-quarter of the population was facing a high risk of starvation, one in six children under the age of two in northern Gaza suffers from acute malnutrition and wasting; whereas on March 6, South Africa requested the ICJ to urgently indicate further provisional measures in light of the new facts, particularly the situation of widespread starvation, to ensure the safety and security of 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza;

1. Calls for an unconditional, immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza Strip and for uninterrupted access to humanitarian aid for all its inhabitants;

2. Recalls that the deliberate use of starvation by depriving civilians of objects indispensable to their survival including food, water and shelter, is a war crime under the Geneva conventions and the Rome statute;

3. Recalls Israel's responsibility to fully comply with international law and urges the authorities to end the illegal blockade of Gaza and fully cooperate with UN and other humanitarian agencies, allow free, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access through all crossing points, open the port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid and allow a direct humanitarian corridor from Jordan;

4. Highlights that UNRWA plays an irreplaceable role in providing critical aid to ensure the day to day survival of 2.2 million civilians in Gaza; rejects the suspension of funding to UNRWA and calls on the EU and its Member States to grant UNRWA support with proper funding;

5. Condemns that Israel has not taken any steps to comply with the ICJ ruling despite being investigated as a plausible perpetrator of genocide; calls on the EU and the MS to immediately comply with the legally binding orders issued by the court; including an immediate, comprehensive two-way arms embargo against Israel until it demonstrably aligns with its obligations; urges Member States to cease immediately all exports of arms and military technology to Israel, conforming to Council decision 2008/944/CFSP.

6. Warns Member States and the European Commission that the Genocide Convention includes an obligation on States to refrain from complicity in genocide.

7. Calls for an impartial international investigation into the 29 February massacre;

8. calls for the immediate suspension of the Association Agreement;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission;