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Global peace under threat: halting the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and addressing the wider conflict in the Middle East

Committee Opinion | Doc. 16212 | 25 June 2025

Committee
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
Rapporteur :
Mr Paul GALLES, Luxembourg, EPP/CD
Origin
Reference to committee: Bureau decision. Reference 4889 of 23 June 2025. Reporting committee: Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy. See Doc. 16210. Opinion approved by the committee on 24 June 2025. 2025 - Third part-session

A Introduction

1. The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons welcomes the draft resolution prepared by the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy in the framework of a debate under urgent procedure on “Global peace under threat: halting the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and addressing the wider conflict in the Middle East” and appreciates the fact that it was seized for opinion.
2. The serious threats to global peace caused by the escalation of violence in the region since the horrific attack against Israel of 7 October 2023 and the eruption of open military hostilities between Israel and Iran, with a direct United States military operation against Iran in June 2025, must not make us forget the unbearable humanitarian crisis which worsens every day in Gaza and to which the international community must react in the firmest manner, to halt further loss of life.
3. The amendments proposed aim to reinforce the draft resolution in respect of the humanitarian consequences which are resulting from these dire and deadly multiple fronts of fighting in the Middle East.

B Proposed amendments

Amendment A (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 1, at the end of the first sentence, insert the following words:

“and the response by Israel, which has led to a catastrophic and entirely preventable humanitarian situation in Gaza”

Amendment B (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 5, insert the following paragraph:

“Movements have been reported from Tehran and other parts of Iran, with many people crossing into neighbouring countries, including Council of Europe member States. Equally, shelling has caused people in Israel and the Palestinian territories to seek shelter elsewhere in the country and, in some cases, abroad. Everything must be done to avoid another refugee crisis taking root, as there is no quick way back from this situation. The Assembly recalls that, with the conflict escalating further, additional humanitarian needs would emerge in a region already hosting millions of refugees and internally displaced people, and notes the consequential risks to those people of exploitation and becoming victims of human trafficking. It is concerned that if the conflict persists, existing refugee populations, mainly from Afghanistan, would also face renewed uncertainty and yet more hardship.”

Amendment C (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 6, first sentence, replace the words "ordinary people" with the following word:

“civilians”

Amendment D (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 7, first sentence, after the words "The Assembly recalls its resolutions", insert the following words:

“, in particular Resolution 2582 (2025),”

Amendment E (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 7, at the end of the third sentence, insert the following words:

“including 15 000 children according to UNICEF”

Amendment F (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 7, fourth sentence, after the words "mass displacement of communities," insert the following words:

“, the water shortage and growing likelihood of famine,”

Amendment G (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8, first sentence, replace the words "have risked violating" with the following words:

“have violated”

Amendment H (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8, after the second sentence, insert the following sentence:

“Hospitals in Gaza, targeted by Israeli bombings, are either totally destroyed or completely overstretched, facing critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies, and more than 50 000 pregnant women are facing growing health risks, such as miscarriages, stillbirth and undernourished newborns. A whole generation risks being sacrificed.”

Amendment I (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 9, first sentence, after the words "international community", insert the following words:

“and parts of Israeli society”

Amendment J (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12, first sentence, replace the words "statements by senior Israeli officials advocating, or openly contemplating, the permanent displacement of Gaza’s civilian population" with the following words:

“the approval by the Israeli Security Cabinet of the Gideon’s Chariot Operation, which involves the forcible displacement of the Palestinian population of Gaza, as well as its military occupation”

Amendment K (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12, second sentence, replace the words "crime under international law" with the following words:

“serious crime under international law”

Amendment L (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 12, insert the following sentence:

“Indeed, this policy appears to go in the direction of deliberate ethnic cleansing as having the characteristics of a genocidal intent.”

Amendment M (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 14.7, insert the following paragraph:

“calls on member States to provide co-ordinated support to Iran’s neighbouring States which are part of the Council of Europe, and which may be called upon to deal with a possible humanitarian crisis due to arrivals of large volumes of people fleeing the region, notably by ensuring early planning for humanitarian corridors, fair relocation schemes, protection from exploitation and the risks of trafficking, and support to frontline States by ensuring fair burden-sharing among all member States.”

Amendment N (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 14.7, insert the following paragraph:

“reaffirms the legal obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention and calls on member States to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, the right to asylum, and to humane treatment, even under increased migratory pressure.”

Amendment O (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 16.3, after the words "as a method of warfare", insert the following words:

“, the weaponisation of humanitarian aid”

Amendment P (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 16.7, insert the following paragraph:

“calls for immediate and full access for international journalists and independent media outlets reporting on Gaza, which will improve independent and objective reporting”.

Amendment Q (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 17.3, after the words "continue to support", insert the following words:

“sufficient and adequate”

Amendment R (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 18, insert the following paragraph:

“The Assembly supports the European Union’s ongoing review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to assess Israel's compliance with human rights and democratic principles in the context of indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of that Agreement.”

Amendment S (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 18, insert the following paragraph:

“Convinced that the young people and children of Israel and Palestine deserve a better future, the Assembly will remain committed to offering a platform for dialogue with the aim of rebuilding trust and devising a possible peaceful future.”

Amendment T (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, paragraph 14.1, after the words "deep concern about", insert the following words:

“the breaches of international law and”

Amendment U (to the draft resolution)

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 17.5, insert the following paragraph:

“use all possible means within their power, including economic and political leverage, to restore international law and discuss the progress in the Committee of Ministers.”