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Parliamentary Assembly calls for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly
Strasbourg
29 january 2024

Approving a resolution based on a report by Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reiterated its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the appalling terrorist attack by Hamas and other militias against Israel on 7 October 2023, and again urged the immediate release to their families and homes of all hostages still held in captivity.

In view of the continuing dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member states and parties to the conflict to play an active role in addressing the humanitarian emergency in Gaza and its future consequences.

"The military campaign launched by Israel in Gaza in response to the attack on 7 October continued for fifteen months, causing an unimaginable humanitarian crisis," the Assembly said, adding that "women and children are without any shadow of doubt the main innocent victims of the conflict".

PACE welcomed the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the implementation of its first phase as "a crucial and positive step forward", and called on all parties to implement all three phases, leading to a long-lasting peace.

"The Assembly cannot accept that this humanitarian crisis could be portrayed or seen as inevitable or be allowed to become 'the new normal'," the Assembly said in its resolution. "The coming winter will exacerbate the already inhuman and degrading living conditions of the people of Gaza, and the hostages held by Hamas, who are subjected to an infernal cycle of suffering."

The Assembly also urged the immediate and unconditional repeal of the ban on UNRWA imposed by Israel, as well as full, rapid and safe access for humanitarian organisations and local and foreign journalists.

The Assembly called on both Israel and Palestine, whose parliaments enjoy respectively observer status and partner for democracy status, to do everything in their power to put a stop to the suffering of the people in Gaza, including that of the hostages, thus showing their full commitment to Council of Europe values.