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

TA-9-2024-0051 · P9_TA(2024)0051 · PE756.753

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 13 Oct 2026

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.

Parliament's resolution of 18 January 2024 addresses the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for a ceasefire and the risk of regional escalation. It calls for a permanent ceasefire provided all hostages are released and Hamas is dismantled, and restates support for a negotiated two-state solution. It condemns Hamas's attacks on Israel and the disproportionate Israeli military response, and demands full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza, including fuel, food, water, medical supplies and shelter. It calls for de-escalation with Hezbollah and Lebanon, condemns Houthi attacks on shipping, and asks the EU to sanction states and entities that facilitated the attacks, notably Iran and Qatar. It calls for accountability through the ICC and ICJ, for Hamas's senior political leadership to be added to the EU terrorist list, and condemns rising antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and racism in Europe.

Key points

  1. Calls for a permanent ceasefire and a restart of efforts towards a political solution, provided all hostages are immediately and unconditionally released and Hamas is dismantled.
  2. Reiterates support for a negotiated two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
  3. Condemns Hamas's attacks on Israel and the disproportionate Israeli military response, and expresses sorrow for innocent victims on both sides.
  4. Calls for humanitarian access to address hostages' medical needs, for the return of deceased hostages' bodies, and for prosecution of the perpetrators of hostage-taking.
  5. Recalls Israel's right to defend itself within international law, and deplores Hamas's abuse of civilian infrastructure, tunnels and human shields.
  6. Urges Israel to ensure continuous humanitarian aid into Gaza, including fuel, food, water, medical supplies and shelter, and demands immediate restoration of vital infrastructure.
  7. Calls for a European initiative to revive the two-state solution and welcomes the EU-Arab League Peace Day Effort.
  8. Calls for an end to the occupation, condemns settler violence, and asks for Hamas's senior political leadership to be added to the EU terrorist list.
  9. Reiterates support for the Arab Peace Initiative and calls for the Palestinian Authority's full inclusion in normalisation efforts.
  10. Condemns the killing of journalists, UN staff and healthcare workers, and emphasises UNRWA's role in sheltering over one million displaced persons.
  11. Condemns Hezbollah strikes and Iranian rockets, calls for de-escalation along the Israeli-Lebanese border, and recalls that all armed groups, including Hezbollah, must disarm.
  12. Condemns Houthi attacks on shipping, calls for release of the Galaxy Leader crew, and calls for sanctions on states and entities that facilitated the attacks, notably Iran and Qatar.

Who is affected

  • Civilians in Gaza, who face displacement, food insecurity and destroyed infrastructure; the resolution demands humanitarian access and restoration of vital services.
  • Hostages held in Gaza and their families; the resolution calls for their immediate and unconditional release and for medical access.
  • Israel and the Palestinian Authority; the resolution calls for a two-state solution, an end to occupation and unimpeded EU development assistance.
  • Iran and Qatar; the resolution calls for EU sanctions on states and entities that facilitated attacks.
  • Hamas's senior political leadership, including Ismail Haniyeh, Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya and Mahmoud Zahar; the resolution calls for them to be added to the EU terrorist list.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 139 Israeli and foreign citizens murdered in the 7 October 2023 attack, including 36 children.
  • Over 240 people taken hostage, of which 136 are still held in the Gaza Strip.
  • Over 5 400 Israelis wounded since 7 October 2023.
  • 81 hostages released during a humanitarian pause.
  • Over 23 000 people killed in Gaza, including 10 000 children, 60 000 wounded and almost two million displaced.
  • 30 % of all civilian infrastructure destroyed; two thirds of hospitals destroyed and one third barely operational.
  • 100 % of Gaza's population in acute food insecurity, 50 % experiencing extreme lack of food and starvation, 26 % catastrophic hunger and starvation.
  • At least 330 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since 7 October 2023.