Escalation of Israeli Military Campaign Faces Significant EU Criticism
Socialist Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have condemned Israel’s military escalation in Gaza, asserting that it threatens the lives of Israeli hostages and exacerbates the suffering of Palestinian civilians. They argue that this strategy jeopardizes the prospect of peace in the region, prompting calls for urgent EU intervention to halt the bloodshed, reports 24brussels.
On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet endorsed a five-point plan aimed at taking control of Gaza City. This initiative includes disarming Hamas, ensuring the return of hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, securing territorial control, and establishing a new civil administration that neither aligns with Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
The statement from the Israeli cabinet noted, “The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones.” However, this military strategy has incited significant backlash. Yannis Maniatis, vice-president of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, criticized the approach, stating, “More death and destruction – that is what this horrific decision means. Countless people, both Israelis and Palestinians, are going to be killed because of Netanyahu’s senseless strategy, which goes against the security of Israel and the hostages, and is opposed by civil society and the Israeli people.”
Maniatis further highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis, citing over 60,000 Palestinian fatalities, mass displacements of nearly two million individuals, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid. He emphasized the potential violation of International Law should direct military occupation ensue.
Echoing this sentiment, Nacho Sanchez Amor, S&D AFET coordinator, urged the EU to take immediate action, recommending the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the enforcement of a comprehensive arms embargo, and the assurance of humanitarian access within Gaza. “It’s time for the EU to step up and act in the name of humanity. The situation demands an EU response; the EU must no longer be silent,” said Sanchez Amor.
This week, S&D president Iratxe García, alongside leaders from the Greens/EFA and Left groups, reached out to EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and other top officials, urging them to take swift action to uphold international law.
Since the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,195 Israeli fatalities and 251 kidnappings, the Israeli government has initiated what the Socialists and Democrats describe as a “devastating military campaign.” Reports indicate that over 60,000 Palestinians have died as a result, with significant destruction of civilian infrastructure and the brutal displacement of nearly two million individuals.
The statement from the S&D group underlined the ongoing humanitarian crisis, asserting that hunger has become a method of warfare, with over 6,000 humanitarian trucks stalled, and pervasive violence against civilians seeking food has occurred. Additionally, violence in the West Bank has escalated, with nearly 1,000 deaths attributed to the conflict, and settler violence reaching unprecedented levels.
