- Final -

1. Thank you President, I speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.
2. We thank you, President, for convening this debate following the veto cast in the Security Council on 20 February 2024. We also thank Algeria who, on behalf of the Arab group, sought to find a compromise between the members of the Council.
3. For the EU, ending the civilian suffering and preventing further loss of life in Gaza is an absolute priority, given that too many lives have been lost already. The EU strongly supports the efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to agree the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, to ensure a sustained end to hostilities. We call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any precondition.
4. The EU is gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. UN agencies report that Gaza is at a high risk of famine and that the health system is in a state of collapse. Immediate improvement of humanitarian access over land is key. We are very concerned about the humanitarian consequences, which must be avoided, of a possible ground operation in Rafah, where well over a million Palestinians are currently sheltering from the fighting.
5. The EU underlines that protection of all civilians and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured by all parties at all times. There must be full respect of international law, including international humanitarian, law by all sides. We note that there must be accountability for violations of international law on all sides.
6. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks by Hamas across Israel on 7 October, which included sexual and gender-based violence. Israel has the right to defend itself, it must do so in line with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. The EU underlines that military operations must be proportionate.
7. The EU notes the 26 January order of the International Court of Justice is legally binding on the Parties and must be complied with.
8. The EU calls for immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2712. Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access is an obligation under international law.  It is urgently needed to deliver life-saving aid to prevent a further deterioration of an already catastrophic situation. Aid needs to reach those in need through all means necessary, including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs or cessations of hostilities. We are seriously concerned that the level of humanitarian supplies  entering Gaza remains wholly inadequate and that over the last two weeks, the number of trucks entering daily has decreased considerably compared to January’s daily average.  The EU deplores the incident in northern Gaza on 29 February in which more than a hundred people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking humanitarian assistance.
9. At the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 19 February with the Senior UN Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator, the EU expressed its full support to the UN’s efforts.
10. We commend the determined efforts of the UN and all humanitarian actors to deliver lifesaving aid in extremely dire conditions, and urge cooperation and coordination with the UN to allow them to deliver on their important work.  We deplore the deaths of an unprecedented number of UN staff, other humanitarian workers and journalists. The EU will continue its strong support to the UN and other humanitarian actors. The European Commission will provide an additional 68m€ to support the Palestinian people across the region and will disperse 50m€ to UNRWA this week. The EU recognises UNRWA’s vital role in the humanitarian response in Gaza, and that it also plays a crucial role for stability in the region. The EU calls on UNRWA to continue its cooperation in addressing the concerning and serious allegations that a few of its staff members were involved in the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks of 7 October. We welcome the Secretary General’s initiation of internal and external investigations and UNRWA’s commitment to take immediate measures as needed depending on the results. We welcome in particular the appointment of an independent Review Group led by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna. The EU calls upon all parties to cooperate fully and in good faith with these investigations.
11. Preventing further regional escalation remains crucial. The EU is actively discussing with partners and key stakeholders, and we call on regional actors to refrain from any action that risks further aggravating the situation. The EU supports all ongoing efforts towards de-escalation in the region. The EU is following with concern the situation in southern Lebanon and northern Israel across the Blue Line, and recalls the absolute necessity that all parties respect UNSCR 1701. The EU supports the role of UNIFIL, to which EU Member States are significant contributors, as a provider of stability.
12. The EU fully supports the efforts of Special Envoy Grundberg in Yemen. The EU condemns the Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea, which are undermining freedom of navigation. To safeguard the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the EU has launched the defensive maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
13. The EU calls for immediate implementation of UNSCR 2722. Upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is vital to the free flow of global commerce and regional security. 
14. The EU remains gravely concerned about the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where settlement expansion and settler violence have reached record levels and violent attacks by extremists on both sides are on the rise. Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace. Israel must stop settlement expansion and legalisation, prevent settler violence, demolitions, evictions, and forced transfers and ensure the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable.
15. Ahead of Ramadan, Pessah and Easter, the EU specifically underlines that the legal and historic status quo of the holy sites must be preserved in line with previous understandings and with respect to Jordan’s role as Custodian.  We call on everyone to exercise restraint and lower tensions in order to ensure the safety of all and to refrain from provocations actions and rhetoric on the Temple Mount / al‑Haram al-Sharif.
16. Finally, the EU reaffirms its commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition, and with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states It is vital to restore a political horizon towards a two-state solution. Only a negotiated agreement offers a chance of security and peace for all. The EU is ready to contribute to reviving a political process, including through the Peace Day Effort, and welcomes diplomatic peace and security initiatives and supports the holding of an international peace conference under UN auspices.