The European Parliament,

–       having regard to its resolution of 17 July 2014 on the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine(1),

–       having regard to the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on Gaza of 15 August 2014,

–       having regard to the European Council conclusions on Gaza of 30 August 2014,

–       having regard to the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security (VP/HR) on the ceasefire in Gaza of 27 August 2014,

–       having regard to the statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Gaza of 26 August 2014,

–       having regard to Rule 123(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas a ceasefire agreement was reached on 26 August 2014, putting an end to seven weeks of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza; whereas Egypt has made considerable efforts to broker this agreement;

B.     whereas the EU is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly living conditions for the displaced population, water supplies, electricity services, unexploded ordnance as well as destroyed and uninhabitable homes;

C.     whereas the European Commission’s humanitarian assistance in Gaza responds to the population’s most urgent needs, including food, shelter and health and the repair of the water and sanitation infrastructure;

D.     whereas on 25 July 2014 the Commission increased its humanitarian aid in Gaza by EUR 5 million, taking it to a total of EUR 23.5 million since the beginning of this year;

1.      Welcomes the ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt; commends Egypt’s mediation efforts; calls on all parties to comply fully and completely with its terms; stresses that all terrorist groups in Gaza must disarm;

2.      Considers the loss of civilian lives deeply regrettable; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of the victims;

3.      Stresses that the Palestinian consensus government, under the leadership of President Abbas, must exercise its full responsibilities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including in the field of security and civil administration;

4.      Is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza; welcomes the Commission’s humanitarian assistance; calls for unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with international law;

5.      Welcomes the readiness of the EU to contribute to a comprehensive and sustainable solution enhancing the security, welfare and prosperity of Palestinians and Israelis alike; takes positive note of the fact that the EU will develop options for effective and comprehensive action in the following areas: movement and access, capacity building, verification and monitoring, humanitarian relief and post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation through international donor efforts, including the possible organisation of a donors’ conference;

6.      Applauds the fact that the EU is ready to support a possible international mechanism endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, including through the reactivation and possible extension of the scope and mandate of its EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS missions on the ground, extending to the launch of a training programme for Palestinian Authority customs personnel and police for redeployment in Gaza;

7.      Welcomes the fact that the EU is prepared to contribute to arrangements to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition to the Gaza Strip and to ensure the sustained re-opening of Gaza’s crossing points, and that the EU will also study options for an internationally-supervised mechanism to enable full access and movement through all Gaza ports of entry;

8.      Reiterates its strong support for the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, with a secure State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security, which would imply the lifting of the blockade of Gaza; stresses again that non-violent means are the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; calls, in this spirit, for serious and credible efforts by both sides and the international community to resume direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and to achieve concrete results in these talks;

9.      Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Quartet Envoy to the Middle East, the Knesset and the Government of Israel, the President of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Parliament and Government of Egypt.

(1) Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0012