European Parliament calls for 'immediate and lasting' ceasefire in Gaza
In a new resolution on the war in Gaza, the European Parliament calls for an "immediate and lasting" ceasefire to prevent the risk of mass starvation and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
The resolution condemns the recent attacks on humanitarian convoys in Gaza. It was adopted with 372 votes in favour, 44 against and 120 abstentions.
The call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire is new. The word "immediate" did not appear in the resolution adopted in January, but the humanitarian emergency has become more acute.
"Civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian convoys should never be targeted"
"We have negotiated a strong resolution with a clear message," says Hilde Vautman (Open VLD), who took part in the negotiations. "Civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian convoys should never be targeted. Hunger should never be used as a weapon. We call on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and to open all corridors so that hundreds of trucks carrying aid can enter Gaza."
Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit) supported the text but was disappointed that an amendment calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to Israel's "repeated violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights" was not adopted.
© BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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