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. Statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

Humanitarian aid (T2)

LENARČIČ, Janez (SI, EC)

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: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, President, Members of Parliament, Commissioners. After three months after the beginning of Israel's military response against Hamas following the attack on the 7th October, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is getting worse and worse. The number of civil victims in Gaza, of which over 70% of women and children, is absolutely intolerable. Protection of civilians is an obligation, and both legal and moral, it is something that Israel needs to fall in line with in its own interest.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, This is a message that we address directly to Israel. The European Union, its member states, have been working to contribute to trying reduce the suffering and provide necessary humanitarian support for Gaza. From the beginning of this crisis, the EU's contribution has more than doubled to almost six over €670 million. As part of the Team Europe approach, we are once again to intensify our efforts for 2024. The Commission has already announced a funding package of 125 millions and the Member States will also provide their contributions.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Within this humanitarian tragedy we are seeing in Gaza, the UNRWA and other you and agencies are playing a vital role. They are coming up against huge challenges. For this reason, Representative Borrell decided to bring forward the EU's contribution, and hopefully we can do the same in 2024. So this is bring forward the UNRWA contribution. The requests for Gulf and Arab countries, the these countries could also increase their contributions to UNRWA. The other challenge that we face in relation to humanitarian aid in Gaza is delivery.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Aid is not getting to people who need it quickly enough. The number of lorries getting into Gaza is far below what is required. The European Union is calling for implementation of 27, 12 and 2720 from the UN Security Council in order to improve access to humanitarian aid and improve delivery. We want to protect civilians and also ensure the freedom of the release of the hostages who are still being held.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, The West Bank is also being affected by an increase in violence. This means there is now fear of contagion. In 2023, there are attacks by violent settlers forcing Palestinians from the house and also restrictions on movement. And this has hit unprecedented levels. And with it, 507 Palestinians were killed in 2023, the most deadly year for Palestinians in West Bank since the first survey conducted in 2005. 60% of the deaths have come after the 7th of October. West Bank needs to return to a stable situation.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, The consequences of the war are being felt across the region. With border between Lebanon and Israel, but also in the Red Sea, in Iraq and Syria. We need to continue to work to ensure there is not further escalation. EU seeks to work actively with our partners in the region. The EU should play a role as a mediator between Israel and Lebanon. We want to support the efforts of the armed forces in Lebanon. This also tensions in the Red Sea. And the EU has called on parties to remove any interference or any threats and ensure free navigation.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, The Houthis need to stop their attacks against civilians and also attacks against navigation and trade routes. We are pleased to see the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution, and this is something that we echo with a statement from the EU 27. Also looking at the operational measures to support international navigation in close cooperation with those who are committed to similar values. And this is specifically with the other points as well. We also need to support the Palestinian Authority to ensure that they can take over the governance of Gaza. The Palestinian Authority is ready to do so, but they need a huge amount of support. The EU will continue to play its role in this matter. Last December, the Commission adopted a support plan of over 118 million euros to support the Palestinian Authority.

SOUNDBITE (French), Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, President, Commission members of Parliament. Even if we do not agree on the causes and solutions of the current crisis, 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. We need to try and find a way to come out of the current crisis. Thank you very much.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, 'Mr. President, honourable Members of the European Parliament. Minister Lahbib. More than three months after the beginning of the Israeli military operation against Hamas, triggered by the horrific terrorist attacks of 7 October, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is tragic. The number of civilian casualties in Gaza, including a very high proportion of children, is unacceptable. The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and Israel must do more to exercise maximum restraint. Respect for international humanitarian law is imperative and non-negotiable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, This is a message that we consistently pass to Israel, and Hamas must release all hostages without preconditions. While Israel maintains its military objectives to destroy Hamas. With 60% of housing, stock and infrastructure destroyed, humanitarian actors already describe Gaza as an unliveable place.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, A new humanitarian pause is needed. Now the situation is worsening by the day, with 85% of population now being displaced, often living in the open, and facing the risk of famine and disease. The EU is doing its part to contribute to alleviate the humanitarian crisis with more than €100 million in humanitarian aid in 2023. There have been some positive steps, like the opening of Kerem Shalom Crossing, but clearly more is needed. Committed in aid and access need to be considerably scaled up.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Humanitarian actors, including the United Nations, whose role is central to the relief effort, need to be given unfettered access across Gaza, including the North. The war has regional consequences at the border between Israel and Lebanon, but also in the Red Sea and in Iraq and Syria. Efforts must continue to prevent further escalation, and the EU and its partners will continue to be actively engaged in this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, 'The fragile situation in the West Bank only adds to the risk of spill-over. In 2023, and since the beginning of this year, we have seen unprecedented levels of extremist settler attacks, forced displacement of Palestinian communities, and extensive movement restrictions. The Palestinian economy is also hampered by Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenues. In any future scenario for the day after, the Palestinian Authority must be reinvigorated and ultimately returned to Gaza. They are ready for this, but a lot of help is needed. The EU will continue to play its part.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, 'In December 2023, the Commission adopted €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 in the West Bank. Amid the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza, UNWRA and other UN agencies are playing a crucial role in facing enormous challenges. I wish to pay tribute to their staff, who do irreplaceable life saving work at great risk to their own lives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, We frontloaded the 2023 EU contribution to UNWRA in February last year. We hope to do the same in 2024, and we have encouraged Arab and Gulf partners to increase their contributions. All together, we provided almost €110 million in funding to UNWRA in 2023, including a top up of €10 million last November, to help UNWRA face the enormous challenges in Gaza. The substantial increase in our humanitarian support quadrupled to over €100 million in total last year. As already mentioned, even higher levels of humanitarian aid are being mobilised for this year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, 'To conclude, the EU is firmly committed to work on multiple parallel tracks: stepping up humanitarian assistance. Preventing regional spill-over of the conflict and working towards a peaceful two state solution. I am looking forward to our discussion. Thank you.