Israel/Palestine: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President in the EP Plenary on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

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Israel/Palestine: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President in the EP Plenary on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

13.03.2024 EEAS Press Team

Speech delivered by European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

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Dear President, Othmar Karas, Honourable Members,

I am speaking here on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, who is in a mission in the United Nations.

We are in the fifth month of this terrible war between Israel and Hamas, which has taken tens of thousands of lives and brought so much destruction across Gaza. 

The tragic events that we continue to see every day critically remind us about the absolute urgency to end the fighting, massively increase humanitarian aid and free the remaining hostages.

The European Union has fully supported the negotiations for another humanitarian pause, leading to a sustainable ceasefire, and the release of hostages. 

The European Union has repeatedly stressed the right of Israel to defend its citizens in the face of the horrible and indiscriminate terrorist attack of 7 October. This right must be exercised in line with International, Humanitarian and Human Rights Law. This means that protection of civilians must remain a priority.

We have witnessed horrific images, such as those of the 29^thFebruary in the Northern part of Gaza, where over a hundred Palestinians were killed while trying to access humanitarian aid deliveries. Another seven hundred people were injured.

People in Gaza are starving.

The health system is in a state of collapse.

We are very concerned about the humanitarian consequences of a possible ground operation in Rafah.

The international community needs to take action to protect civilians from both starvation and violence.

All those concerned about the situation in Gaza should put pressure on the Israeli Government to grant unimpeded humanitarian land access, without blocking convoys.

Other options are not enough: airdrops are good but insufficient, sea corridors are needed but take time. And time is of the essence.

The European Union will continue supporting the United Nations and other humanitarian actors, sparing no effort to contribute to alleviating the humanitarian disaster for the Palestinian population.

In addition to the €125 million for humanitarian assistance in 2024, the EU recently agreed an additional €68 million to support the Palestinian people across the region. We will work with key partners such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

We will also continue to support UNRWA in its central role in Gaza and elsewhere in the region, and we have just paid the first €50 million of the 2024 envelope.

An immediate humanitarian pause leading to a lasting ceasefire is urgently needed to enable the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in Gaza.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Link to video (from 57:35): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-254328