The European Council, in its conclusions on Gaza and the West Bank, following its meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, calls on Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza, including via the Cyprus Maritime Corridor.
In the conclusion, the European Council expresses its “grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, including the persistent and devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” It calls on Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza, including via the Cyprus Maritime Corridor to supplement land routes, and to enable the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering.
Condemning Israel
It also calls on Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings, as well as the medical corridor between Gaza and the West Bank, allow access for international media, and reverse its decision regarding the NGO registration law. The Council also urges Israel to comply with all its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, noting that the protection of civilians “needs to be ensured at all times.”
It also reiterates the European Union’s commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders.
On the West Bank, the Council reiterates “its condemnation of Israel’s unilateral actions aiming to expand its presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem” which, it said, the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 declared to be unlawful.
Death penalty
It urges the government of Israel to reverse the expansion of settlements, including in the E1 area, which, it said, “are illegal under international law”, to abide by its obligations under international law and to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territories, including Christian communities and other minorities, as well as to ensure the preservation of and respect for the Status Quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
The Council also condemns Israel’s adoption of the death penalty law, “which is discriminatory, and calls for its immediate repeal”.
The European Council also said it takes note of the Commission’s intention to present options before the Council meeting of 13 July 2026, in light of a further deteriorating situation regarding the illegal settlements.
Lebanon
The European Council also expresses its “serious concern” about continued ceasefire violations and urges all actors to fully implement the ceasefire, to engage constructively in the ongoing talks, to prevent further civilian casualties and displacement and to reach a lasting political solution that ensures peace and security for both Lebanon and Israel.
The European Union, it said, stands ready to support the implementation of an agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
The Council “strongly condemns” Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel and the civilian population in northern Israel and calls for the full disarmament of Hezbollah. It also calls on Israel to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, in line with UNSCR 1701. It also calls on Israel to refrain from further escalation.
It reaffirms the EU’s support for efforts to ensure the safety of the Lebanese people and for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reiterates the EU’s “full support” for the Lebanese Government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces in view of gaining control of the whole Lebanese territory, and to establish the State’s monopoly on holding weapons.
Source: CNA
