European Union

Statement

WHO

78^th World Health Assembly

(19 May – 27 May 2025)

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Item 17.3 – Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem

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WHO

78^th World Health Assembly

Item 17.3 – Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem

EU Statement

Chair,

Director General,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its 27 Member States.

We would like to thank for the report on “Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem”.

The EU is gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza. An immediate return to the ceasefire is essential, leading to the release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostilities. The EU is deeply concerned about reoccurring incidents resulting in the death of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and calls for accountability. Unimpeded humanitarian aid access and distribution, as well as the supply of electricity to Gaza, must be resumed immediately. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. The EU reiterates the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and UN premises. The EU also deplores the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. Too many Israelis and Palestinians have suffered and the death toll of civilians in Gaza is unacceptable. It is time to break the cycle of violence and ensure peace and security for all. 

We reiterate our deep concern about the current health situation faced by the population in Gaza. No humanitarian or commercial supplies have entered Gaza in over two months. The EU supports the WHO efforts to scale up its operations, to mobilise critical supplies and resources to address immediate needs, to organise medical evacuations and to support early recovery efforts.

The EU will continue playing its part to try to ease the difficult situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and will continue to work closely with international partners, the UN and other agencies as well as countries in the region to provide a sustained flow of assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter. 

The EU is committed to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. We will contribute to this objective through support to the Palestinian Authority to help it address its most pressing needs and support the reform agenda, and engagement with Israel and international partners in order to revive the political process. 

As part of the EU’s long standing commitment to support Palestinians in need, the EU announced a new humanitarian aid package for Gaza and the West Bank worth €120 million in 2025, bringing the total to over €450 million since 2023. Total humanitarian financial support from Team Europe, i.e. from the EU and its Member States, to the occupied Palestinian Territory in 2023-2024 already amounted to almost €1.3 billion. 

Thank you.