While international diplomatic efforts are underway to address the Gaza conflict and prevent it from escalating into a regional crisis, the Israeli government has expressed its determination to end Hamas' rule in Gaza. Israeli officials asserted a transition to more targeted warfare, though intense fighting continues. MEPs debate the humanitarian situation, the need to reach a ceasefire, and the risks of escalation in the Middle East. This news item shows extracts from the debate on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

VAUTMANS, Hilde (Renew, BE)

SOLÉ, Jordi (Greens/EFA, ES)

Humanitarian aid (T2)

LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio (EPP, ES)

LENARČIČ, Janez (SI, EC)

MARQUES, Pedro (S&D, PT)

Situation in the Middle East (T)

LAHBIB, Hadja (BE)

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/74143918/1705316068665_I251553Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

External shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, The number of civil victims in Gaza, of which over 70% of women and children, is absolutely intolerable and both legal and moral is something that Israel needs to fall in line with in its own interest. This is a message that we in union, its member states, have been working to contribute to try and reduce the suffering and provide necessary humanitarian support for Gaza.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Even if we do not agree on the causes and solutions of the current crisis, we cannot we cannot allow ourselves to not look at the entirety of the situation. We need to find a solution based on international promises, including a Palestinian state, which could ensure long lasting security for Palestinians as well as for Israelis. All EU member states and the vast majority of this House agree on this point, and this is something that should be our strategic priority.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, The Commission adopted &euro;118.4 million assistance package to support the Palestinian Authority. A larger mid-term package will be put forward in 2024. This will aim to convey support to the Palestinian Authority and lay the ground for longer term economic and political stability in Gaza and the West Bank.

SOUNDBITE (English), Antonio L&Oacute;PEZ-IST&Uacute;RIZ WHITE (EPP, ES), This Parliament agreed by a compelling majority that Hamas can no longer be part of the future of Palestine. As we have always done. We keep supporting a two state solution, but sustainable peace cannot exist as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups hijack the Palestinian cause and threaten the existence of Israel, the only democracy of the region.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pedro MARQUES (S&amp;D, PT), Hamas is a terrorist group that should be eliminated, no doubt about that. But the elimination of Hamas cannot be done at any cost. Civilians are not fighters. Children are not terrorists. Collective punishment, including famine and thirst, is not respects and violations of international law and war crimes. All of them must be held to account.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), It's completely crystal clear that what we have to do is ensure that we have a long term cease fire, a two-states solution. I know we're trying to achieve that. I know the European Union isn't actually in charge of finding that solution. But we have to. We have to be a player in the world stage and speak with one voice. So I encourage all of you here today with these negotiations, try to find a position, try to find a single position so we can speak with one voice, so that we can speak with one voice and show the world what the European priorities. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Jordi SOL&Eacute; (Greens/EFA, ES), I do not question the need to respond to atrocities. Atrocities such as the ones in October the seventh. What I do question is that there was no way to respond other than the one that has claimed the lives of nearly 20,000 people so far, the one that has wiped out 1% of the population of Gaza, 10,000 children, entire families, journalists, doctors, teachers and workers from international agencies. D you want convince me that there was no other way to retaliate against Hamas?