Welcoming the peace deal for the Middle East, Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the&nbsp;EU stands ready to help ensure its implementation. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen&nbsp;stressed the importance of providing governance support&nbsp;and support for the reform of the Palestinian Authority. In a&nbsp;statement following his participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, European Council President António Costa said the EU stands ready to participate in the International Peace Board and to support transitional governance, recovery, and reconstruction.

On 11 September 2025, MEPs&nbsp;adopted a resolution,&nbsp;stating that the creation of a Palestinian state is key to peace, Israel’s security, and regional normalisation.

Since the announcement of the peace agreement and the coming into effect of the ceasefire the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for 2,000 Palestinians held by Israel. Key aspects of the peace plan, such as the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israel’s army, and the future governance of Gaza are yet to be resolved. Since 7 October 2023, when the Israeli military launched a campaign in response to the Hamas-led attack in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, more than 64,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Situation in Israel and Gaza

EU foreign affairs priorities. MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee quiz EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas on topical issues including the peace plan for Ukraine, European defence, EU-US relations, the Middle East, enlargement, and EU neighbourhood policy.

AFET Exchange of views with EU High Representative Kaja KALLAS

In a key debate  MEPs and Commission representatives discuss the recent Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU.

Welcoming the peace deal for the Middle East, Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the EU stands ready to help ensure its implementation. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of providing governance support and support for the reform of the Palestinian Authority. In a statement following his participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, European Council President António Costa said the EU stands ready to participate in the International Peace Board and to support transitional governance, recovery, and reconstruction.

On 11 September 2025, MEPs adopted a resolution, stating that the creation of a Palestinian state is key to peace, Israel’s security, and regional normalisation.

Since the announcement of the peace agreement and the coming into effect of the ceasefire the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for 2,000 Palestinians held by Israel. Key aspects of the peace plan, such as the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israel’s army, and the future governance of Gaza are yet to be resolved.

EP Plenary debate on the Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU

Following the US President’s Gaza peace proposal, MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how the EU should join in peace efforts and support the two-state solution.

US President Donald Trump announced his roadmap for peace in Gaza last Monday. It includes a plan for the release of the hostages and the demilitarisation of Hamas. EU leaders, including the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, have welcomed the proposal.

Last month, Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation on Gaza, sounding the alarm over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis there and stressing that Israel’s right to defend itself cannot justify indiscriminate military action. MEPs also said member states should consider recognising the State of Palestine, with a view to carrying through the two-state solution.

EP Plenary debate on the EU’s role in supporting peace efforts for Gaza

MEPs and diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas discuss EU action to combat famine in Gaza and the need to release hostages and move towards a two-state solution.

The debate will wrap up with a vote on a resolution on Thursday.

Parliament has called repeatedly – most recently in April – for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, including the unconditional release of all hostages, and free access and sustained distribution of humanitarian and medical assistance in the Gaza Strip. It has also expressed support for the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

Since 7 October 2023, when the Israeli military launched a campaign in response to the Hamas-led attack in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, more than 63,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Global food security experts have confirmed a famine in Gaza City, due to the blockade on humanitarian help, and expect it will soon expand to other cities in the Strip.

Plenary debate on EU action to combat famine in Gaza

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace.

Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run.

MEPs are also expected to repeat their calls for an end to the deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza, for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for a hostage release agreement.

Plenary debate on the situation in Middle East

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East
Risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation
Review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

MEPs and the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages.

With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.” MEPs will also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region. In his statement of 1 November 2024, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell emphasised UNRWA's life-saving work in Gaza.

MEPs adopted a number of resolutions in the last 12 months, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

DEVE - Humanitarian situation in Lebanon: Exchange of views with WFP, NGOs and EU institutions

EP Plenary Session - EUCO and situation in the Middle East

AFET - Public hearing on illegal settlements in the West Bank

AFET - Exchange of views with Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

EP Plenary session - Recent peace agreement in the Middle East and the role of the EU

EP Plenary session - The EU’s role in supporting the recent peace efforts for Gaza and a two-state solution

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - formal sitting - Address by Maia SANDU, President of the Republic of Moldova

The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) exchange views with H.E. Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

Exchange of views with H.E. Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC): closing statements by Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the GCC

Q&A session between members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and H.E. Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

Exchange of views with H.E. Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC): Q&A

David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, and Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) open the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) meeting. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Exchange of views with H.E. Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC): opening statements by David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, and Jasem Mohamed ALBUDAIWI

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and by Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, close the debate on the US-Israel military operation against Iran, its consequences and the need to support Iranians, as well as on the expectations for the 19-20 March EU summit.

EUCO and situation in the Middle East: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and by Marilena RAOUNA, Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs

MEPs debate the US-Israel military operation against Iran, its consequences and the need to support Iranians, as well as expectations for the 19-20 March EU summit. As the United States and Israeli air strikes in Iran are ongoing, and Iran continues to respond with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and other countries in the region with links to the US, MEPs discuss the latest developments. MEPs also outline their demands for the upcoming EU summit. They build on the sense of urgency expressed at the informal competitiveness retreat of EU leaders on 12 February 2026, where Commission President Ursula von der Leyen committed to a “One Europe, one market” roadmap aimed at completing the single market and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. MEPs also discuss the role of the EU’s next long-term budget (the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework) as a driver of competitiveness, alongside European defence and security priorities.

Situation in the Middle East (T)

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