Background
The EU has unequivocally condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the violent and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel carried out on 7 October 2023 by Hamas. It has expressed its solidarity with Israel and emphasised its right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law.
It has equally reiterated the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law.
In the aftermath of these attacks, the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has sharply deteriorated due to the continued intensification of hostilities and the consequent Israeli military operation, along with the blockade of Gaza.
In focus
26 April 2024 - As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the EU is stepping up its funding to support Palestinians affected by the ongoing war. It has allocated an additional €68 million in the form of humanitarian aid to be channelled through partner organisations already assisting Palestinians in Gaza and across the region. This support will help scale up the desperately needed food assistance, nutritional, health, water and sanitation and shelter support, amongst others. An EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight will also deliver emergency supplies today and two additional flights are scheduled for the first week of May.
Over 20 years of EU humanitarian and development support to Palestinians
The EU has always been the largest international donor to the Palestinian people. Moreover, the EU has been providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need since 2000.
Following Hamas' recent terrorist attacks, the EU has:
- quadrupled its humanitarian support to Palestinians in Gaza to over €103 million in 2023
- launched an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation to bring lifesaving supplies to humanitarian organisations on the ground in Gaza
- stepped up humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024
As of April 2024, thanks to the Humanitarian Air Bridge, 50 flights have delivered over 2,100 tonnes of aid. The operations aim to facilitate the prepositioning of aid in support of fast delivery of assistance to people in need in Gaza.
Together with partners, we also support the delivery of humanitarian assistance by sea through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Humanitarian support
Development support
Diplomatic efforts in conflict resolution
The European Union remains committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated efforts in the Middle East Peace Process.
The EU remains in contact with regional leaders and continues its diplomatic efforts including by:
- Calling for protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law
- Redoubling its humanitarian engagement in the region
- Calling for dialogue between Israel and its neighbours to continue to keep stability and peace in the region
- Seeking a long-term solution that brings peace and security to everyone.
Addressing terrorist, illegal and harmful content on social media
Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, and in view of illegal and harmful content circulating on social media, the Commission is in contact with major platforms to ensure they respect their obligations.
- Digital Services Act: requires large online platforms to remove illegal content and to take measures to tackle the risks to public security and civic discourse.
- Terrorist Content Online Regulation: enables Member States to send removal orders for platforms to take down terrorist content within one hour.
No place for hate: Europe united against hatred
The Commission is also stepping up its efforts to fight antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred in all its forms, by reinforcing action across a variety of policies, including security, digital, education, culture and sport. This includes additional funding to protect places of worship and will be backed up by the designation of Envoys with an explicit mandate to maximise the potential of EU policies to combat hatred.