P9_TA(2024)0159 – The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries – European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2024 on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries (2024/2616(RSP))
Date: 2024-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Israel, Palestine, Palestine question, civilian victim, food aid, humanitarian aid, hunger, international humanitarian law, terrorism








C_202406556EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2024/6556


12.11.2024






P9_TA(2024)0159

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


European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2024 on the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries (2024/2616(RSP))

(C/2024/6556)



The European Parliament,







—


having regard to Rule 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,










A.


whereas on 7 October 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, deliberately murdering 1 139 Israeli and foreign citizens; whereas 134 hostages are still being held in terrible conditions;










B.


whereas Parliament has repeatedly condemned this despicable attack and reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence within the limits of international law; whereas its disproportionate response resulted in over 30 000 people being killed and 70 000 injured in Gaza since this attack;










C.


whereas there is desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza; whereas, according to the WHO, almost 16 % of children in Gaza are already suffering from acute malnutrition; whereas Palestinians face terrible, life-threatening conditions because of lack of access to sufficient food, and other basic needs;










D.


whereas on 29 February 2024, over 100 Palestinians were tragically killed and 700 injured when Israeli troops opened fire during humanitarian aid deliveries; whereas, since 20 February 2024, the UN has suspended food deliveries to North Gaza after convoys faced attacks and looting;













1.


Strongly condemns the obstruction of humanitarian aid and attacks against humanitarian convoys; strongly condemns Hamas’ hijacking and looting of aid convoys; urges Israel to immediately allow and facilitate full, unimpeded, safe aid delivery into and throughout Gaza via all existing crossings; welcomes maritime aid corridors but recalls that land distribution must be prioritised;












2.


Strongly condemns repeated attacks on civilians seeking aid, and on humanitarian and medical facilities and workers; deplores their catastrophic impact on civilians in Gaza, particularly on children; urges all parties to immediately cease these attacks; demands an independent international investigation;












3.


Condemns the killing of 161 UN aid workers, 340 health workers, 7 humanitarian staff and 133 journalists and media workers;












4.


Reiterates its calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to address the looming risk of mass starvation in Gaza, and to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages; strongly condemns the rise in extremist settler violence and attacks by the Israeli armed forces against Palestinians in the West Bank, who have already killed hundreds and injured thousands of Palestinian civilians; strongly condemns the acceleration of the illegal settlement of Palestinian land, which constitutes a violation of international law; calls for the International Committee of the Red Cross to be given immediate access to all hostages being held in Gaza and to provide them with medical care;












5.


Expresses deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the risk of imminent starvation, the spread of diseases and the confirmed deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration; is concerned about aid deliveries in unsafe conditions; underlines the urgent need for rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access; urges the Israeli authorities again to reopen the Rafah, Kerem Shalom, Karmi and Erez crossings; recognises the indispensable role of UNRWA in the region;












6.


Expresses its deep concern about the risk of escalation of the conflict, in particular in Lebanon;












7.


Calls on Israel to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, and to comply with UNSC resolution 2712 demanding the use of ‘all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip’ to facilitate aid delivery; demands the implementation of the ICJ’s Orders of 26 January 2024, including ‘immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance’;












8.


Welcomes the intention of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to debate Israel’s compliance with the human rights clause of the Association Agreement (1) with foreign ministers;












9.


Demands the immediate restoration of vital infrastructure to prevent the catastrophic starvation and food insecurity from worsening; reiterates that every effort must be made to prevent further loss of innocent civilian lives;












10.


Is firmly convinced that there can be no prospect of peace, security, stability and prosperity for Gaza or for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation as long as Hamas and other terrorist groups play any role in the Gaza Strip; reiterates that terrorism, incitement and violence are incompatible with the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;












11.


Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.






(1)  Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part (OJ L 147, 21.6.2000, p. 3).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/6556/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)