Reported military use of the EU-funded Gaza European Hospital by Hamas
16.5.2025
Question for written answer E-001978/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE), Henrik Dahl (PPE), Ondřej Kolář (PPE), Hildegard Bentele (PPE), Lukas Mandl (PPE), Niclas Herbst (PPE), Céline Imart (PPE)
Recent media reports indicate that Hamas constructed a subterranean command centre beneath the Gaza European Hospital – an institution built with EU funding to serve civilians’ healthcare needs in Gaza. Reports also state that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar used this facility as a hiding place, effectively turning a medical institution into a military asset. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released video evidence reportedly showing a Hamas tunnel system beneath the hospital.
If verified, this would constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and an abuse of EU-funded civilian infrastructure by a terrorist organisation. International law prohibits the use of protected civilian infrastructure for military purposes. When terrorist groups use hospitals to shield military operations, they bear primary responsibility for any resulting harm to civilians. For instance, the IDF targeted Mohammed Sinwar, who reportedly hid under the hospital.
Given the EU’s commitment to upholding international law and protecting civilian lives, we ask:
- 1.Is the Commission investigating Hamas’s reported use of the Gaza European Hospital for military purposes?
- 2.Will the Commission issue a clear condemnation of Hamas’s abuse of EU-funded civilian infrastructure?
- 3.What steps will the Commission take to ensure that EU funds are not misused in ways that ultimately endanger the lives of civilians?
Submitted: 16.5.2025