The European Union has issued a stern statement regarding humanitarian developments in Gaza, reiterating its profound concern over the persistent and devastating crisis. Highlighting the compounding threats of severe winter conditions and flooding, the EU warned that these elements are further worsening the living conditions of an already exhausted population and deepening human suffering.
Key demands and observations from the statement
The EU emphasised that international law – including international humanitarian law – must be respected at all times, encompassing the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure, and medical personnel and facilities. The statement explicitly noted that a recent airstrike on the Nasser Hospital is deeply alarming. Humanitarian aid commitments outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict must also be fully implemented in compliance with international law.
The EU urged Israel to permit immediate, unimpeded access and the sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support at scale. It also called for the reopening of all Gaza border crossings. Furthermore, Israel must enable the operations of the UN, its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, including NGOs, while fully complying with international humanitarian and human rights law. The EU recalled that aid must be reserved strictly for peaceful purposes and not diverted by armed groups.
Continuing hardships and political outlook
The EU noted that a year after a ceasefire was announced, military strikes persist alongside severe shortages of essential items such as suitable shelter, medicine, and medical equipment. These challenges, driven by ongoing access restrictions, continue to prevent acceptable and dignified living conditions.
Reaffirming its commitment to a two-state solution, the EU called on all actors to fully implement the provisions of UNSC resolution 2803 without delay. This implementation aligns with broader UN Security Council resolutions and international legal principles, focusing on the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a civil transition in Gaza, with the explicit stance that Hamas should play no role in its future governance.