21/10/2025 Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Lord Michael German (United Kingdom, ALDE), PACE rapporteur on ending the devastating humanitarian catastrophe and the killing of journalists in Gaza, and Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), PACE rapporteur on ending the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza, made the following joint statement today:
“Over the weekend, Israel decided to suspend the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The ceasefire agreement and the release of the remaining hostages has marked a moment of hope for the region and around the world, and it is of utmost importance that the provision of sufficient and rapid humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, as agreed in the ceasefire terms, is not interrupted at this critical juncture, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are still in a desperate and life-threatening situation. Withholding access to food, water, medicine and other essential supplies from the civilian population in response to alleged violations of the ceasefire amounts to a form of collective punishment which is a violation of international humanitarian law.
We therefore urge Israel to lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid immediately and to open more crossings into Gaza to allow aid to be delivered in sufficient quantities, as was agreed. International media should be given free and independent access to Gaza in order to report on the situation on the ground.
The people in Gaza deserve peace and safety after two years of relentless bombing, and the children in Gaza should be spared from further hunger and danger to their lives, and be allowed to return to their education after more than two years without schooling. We call on all parties to exercise every caution and restraint in the coming days and weeks and do everything in their power to maintain the ceasefire. The international community must do everything possible to get through this difficult phase and reach real peace, for the sake of the Israeli and Palestinian populations and especially for the women and children of Gaza.”