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

B90191/2024

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 Hamas, an internationally recognised terrorist organisatio;excercisng since 2007 full control over Gaza, on 7 October 2023 launched a murderous assault on Israel in which it killed, raped and tortured over a thousand men, women and children indiscriminately, and took at least 240 people to Gaza as hostages, including children;

B. whereas despite Hamas calling for a ceasefire, it has consistently rejected proposals to free the remaining 136 hostages held in its captivity and end the current war; whereas it is believed that Hamas killed a number of Israeli hostages while in captivity; whereas hostages that were freed during an earlier humanitarian pause, recounted psychological, physical and sexual abuse by their captors;

C. whereas despite aid entering Gaza, the ICRC, or any other organisation, has still not been allowed access to the Israeli hostages in captivity by Hamas;

D. whereas aid in limited quantity has entered into Gaza, including water, food, medical equipment and fuel; whereas reports have noted issues concerning the disbursement of aid, including chaotic scenes, Hamas taking over aid convoys and redirecting aid to its own fighters in Gaza;

E. whereas the data of Palestinian deaths and wounded provided by Hamas and Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza are unreliable and include Hamas terrorists and is being misused as an essential element of pro-Palestinian propaganda, blurring both the cause and the course of the Israeli military operation in Gaza against Hamas;

F. whereas on 26 February 2024, PA Prime Minister resigned amid growing US pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to shake up the PA in order to allow it to take a greater role in ruling post-war Gaza;

G. whereas terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

1. Regrets the loss of innocent lives and the heavy toll on civilians in the ongoing war; deplores the terrorism and war crimes committed by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups against Israel and against the Israeli and Palestinian people;

2. Calls for all Israeli hostages held in Gaza to be immediately and unconditionally released; calls for the ICRC to be given immediate access to all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza and provide them with medical care;

3. Supports the continuation of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and stresses that it must reach those civilians in need; strongly condemns Hamas’ hijacking and looting of aid convoys;

4. is strongly convinced that there will be no prospects for peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza as well as for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups will play any role in the Gaza Strip ; reiterates that terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

5. Calls for the EU, in cooperation with the Member States, to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at halting the radicalisation of young Palestinians;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the relevant parties.