Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly calls for ending humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved a motion on Wednesday calling for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinian children and women, in particular, in the Gaza Strip. The motion was passed during the winter plenary session of the assembly in the French City of Strasbourg from 27 to 31 January. It was adopted with 90 votes in favour, 18 against and 14 abstentions.

“The military campaign launched by Israel in Gaza in response to the attack on 7 October continued for fifteen months, causing an unimaginable humanitarian crisis,” said the PACE. “Women and children are without any shadow of doubt the main innocent victims of the conflict.”

The Palestinian Information Centre reported that the assembly called on the Council of Europe member states and the parties to the conflict to play an active role in addressing the humanitarian emergency in Gaza and its future consequences. “The Assembly cannot accept that this humanitarian crisis could be portrayed or seen as inevitable or be allowed to become the new normal,” it said.

The PACE also urged the immediate and unconditional repeal of the ban on UNRWA imposed by Israel, as well as full, rapid and safe access to Gaza for humanitarian organisations and local and foreign journalists.

It also welcomed the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, describing the implementation of its first phase as “a crucial and positive step forward,” and called on all parties to implement all three phases, leading to a long-lasting peace.

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