The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) welcomed&nbsp;the recent ceasefire in Gaza and the progress it represents for the phased release of hostages. This development is a significant step in reducing the immense suffering endured by civilians on both sides over the past months.

US and Qatari mediators announced that Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, which began&nbsp;on 19 January. The deal includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Palestinians that have fled&nbsp;parts of Gaza will also be able to return home.

It is estimated that Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since October 2023, in response to the attack by Hamas in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and around 250 people abducted.&nbsp; MEPs have adopted a number of resolutions since the October 2023 Hamas attack, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and expressing serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Commission President von der Leyen has also said that EU should actively engage with all actors in the Middle East region to work towards a two-state solution to the conflict.

Situation in Israel and Gaza

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

MEPs and the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages.

With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.” MEPs will also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region. In his statement of 1 November 2024, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell emphasised UNRWA's life-saving work in Gaza.

MEPs adopted a number of resolutions in the last 12 months, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

As Israel intensifies ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, around 100 Israeli hostages remain unaccounted for, and casualty numbers in Gaza continue to rise. In response to the conflict, Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel. High Representative Borrell has emphasized the EU's commitment to prevent a regional war. MEPs have previously called for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid access, with reports from the Gaza Health Ministry indicating that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023 due to Israel's response to the attack by Hamas.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

On Monday afternoon, MEPs debate with the Commission the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023 and triggered the current war in Gaza and wider Middle East destabilisation.

One year after the 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas

Plenary discusses the latest ruling by the International Court of Justice regarding Israel and the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in the 7 October attacks

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take a series of measures to prevent any acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, after South Africa filed an application against Israel at the court in December 2023. It also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to ensure  aid can reach  people in Gaza.

During the debate with the Council and the European Commission on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs also discuss the  allegations  that 12 staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA ) were involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel. While several donor countries have suspended their UNRWA funding, the EU said it will take a decision in light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and its subsequent  actions. In a statement on 29 January, the Commission said EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank will continue uninterrupted through partner organisations.

Plenary debate - War in Gaza

Situation in Gaza. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell the need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and the prospect of a two-state solution.

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Meeting with Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Visit to the Site of the Nova Festival, in Re'im

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Crossing into Gaza and Visit to the Border-Crossing Point & to Humanitarian Operations at Kerem Shalom Border

EP Plenary session - Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy

EP Plenary session - Ceasefire in Gaza - the urgent need to release the hostages, to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to pave the way for a two-state solution

EP Plenary session - The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participate at the commemoration on one-year anniversary of terror attacks in Israel

EP Plenary session - Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

President Metsola is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian occupied territory, where she is holding talks with the political authorities. She exchanges with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog at the Presidencial residence Beit HaNassi in Jerusalem.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel - Jerusalem

Roberta Metsola, EP President, visits the Nova Festival Victims Memorial commemorating the victims of the massacre. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. During this assault, 364 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and many others were injured at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival held near kibbutz Re'im.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: visit to the Site of the Nova Festival, in Re'im

President Metsola travelled to the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing Point to visit the humanitarian operations. From there, President Metsola entered into Gaza where she was able to witness humanitarian aid entering from the Israeli side. President Metsola is the first European leader to enter Gaza in more than a decade. Her crossing of the border at a crucial moment in time is meant to highlight the EU’s critical role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza (notably through the EUBAM operation) and the EU’s commitment to continue supporting the ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: crossing into Gaza, visit to the border-crossing point and the humanitarian operation station

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives an official welcome at the Knesset in Jerusalem where she meets with Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, and Gideon Sa’ar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Amir OHANA, Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and Gideon SA'AR, Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. Closing statements by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: Closing statements by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. MEPs debate (Part 2)

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: MEPs debate (Part 2)

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. MEPs debate (Part 1)

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: MEPs debate (Part 1)

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. Opening statements Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: Opening statements Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

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