EU Statement – UN Security Council Briefing: Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
2. The Candidate Countries Montenegro*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.
3. The European Union is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation and the risk this represents for the entire region. We call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately, and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.
4. We are fully committed to working towards de-escalation and support all efforts in this direction as well as to scaling up the European Union’s significant humanitarian assistance. We urge the international community to increase its humanitarian aid given the massive needs.
5. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, an enduring end to hostilities, and the urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza, in line with UNSC Resolution 2735. The EU deplores the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza.
6. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, and stands with the families of the victims and the hostages taken by Hamas.
7. The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, on the basis of relevant UNSC Resolutions, its commitment to implement UNSC Resolution 2334,and the Union’s support to the Palestinian Authority to help address its most pressing needs and support its reform agenda. The European Union will actively support and engage with international partners on concrete irreversible steps towards the two-state solution, including through the holding of an international peace conference as soon as possible.
8. To this end and following the first official meeting hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the second follow-up meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state Solution will be organized by the EU together with Belgium in Brussels.
9. The EU stresses the essential role of the UN and its agencies, notably UNRWA which provides crucial support to the civilian population, both in Gaza and the wider region. The third instalment of EU 2024 funding to UNRWA was disbursed in October, bringing our financial support for this year to EUR 82 million. A similar payment is earmarked for next year. We condemn any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct its capacity to implement its mandate. We also closely monitor and evaluate the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report. Continued implementation of the UNRWA Action Plan is key. As long as there is no sustainable solution to the conflict, the mandate of UNRWA will remain vital.
10. The EU condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel’s military operation. The EU is considering possible further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations which support them, as well as against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and entities and organizations which support them.
11. With respect to the wider region, we express its utmost concern regarding the military escalation in Lebanon. We recall the need to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, that civilian infrastructure is not targeted and that international law is respected. The EU calls for an immediate ceasefire across the Blue Line and for full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
12. We support the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, and call on all parties to protect and support UNIFIL’s important mission. We condemn the attacks against UNIFIL. Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated.
13. The EU remains committed to ending impunity and ensuring accountability for violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and recalls the importance of supporting and implementing decisions of international courts. Finally, the EU reiterates its strong support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as one of the main pillars of the international justice system.

* Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.