For the World Health Organization, the Gaza Strip endures immense suffering after more than 100 days of relentless conflict and devastating attacks that have claimed more than 24,000 lives. The situation remains dire as humanitarian concerns intensify, and the European Parliament debates its response. Parties across the board, including social democrats, liberals, greens, and the European left, are negotiating a course of action. On Thursday, Parliament will vote on motions addressing the humanitarian crisis, the call for a ceasefire, and the risk of broader regional instability. Neither the center-right nor the far-right blocs have incorporated a permanent ceasefire demand into their texts, creating a wide spectrum of positions.
Despite efforts to craft a united declaration for Thursday, gaps persist regarding the insistence on a permanent halt to hostilities. The draft resolution proposed by the socialist group calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for violence to stop in order to reduce tensions and to ensure full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law. It also urges Israel to halt all indiscriminate attacks on civilians under the banner of preventing punishment of Gaza residents. The European Left advocates for a ceasefire that is immediate, permanent, and unconditional. In contrast, the Greens and European Free Alliance demand a prompt halt to all hostilities and a commitment to a permanent ceasefire, while the Renew Europe group emphasizes progress toward a political settlement and a pathway to a permanent ceasefire followed by a resumption of hostilities if necessary.
Hostage release
Facing a divided front, neither the European People’s Party nor the conservative ECR bloc nor the far right bloc expresses enthusiastic support for a straightforward ceasefire plan. A leading voice emphasized the practical route to ending the conflict: the release of Israeli hostages and the demilitarization of Gaza. The message from that parliamentarian underscored the belief that a ceasefire hinges on Hamas releasing all hostages, including those killed. A Swedish ultraconservative figure echoed the view, while a German far-right representative warned that the debate centers too narrowly on Gaza’s humanitarian situation rather than on Western values. The remarks reflected a broad concern about how the crisis touches security and ethical standards in allied nations.
During the debate, with participation from a Belgian foreign minister and the EU’s humanitarian commissioner, Lenarcic, the session highlighted the ongoing attacks and bombardments that have affected Gaza for months, resulting in substantial casualties and widespread damage. Socialists, greens, and left-wing members stressed the human impact described in figures that reflect a population already bearing the weight of tragedy. A call pressed for the European Union to act with resolve to secure a permanent ceasefire, to ensure the safe release of all hostages, and to use all available diplomatic pressure to stop the violence. A Catalan member underscored the scale of the humanitarian emergency and urged the EU to stand firm on humanitarian access, protections for civilians, and the pursuit of accountability. In another discussion earlier, the groups did not reach agreement on a permanent ceasefire but did reach consensus on seeking a humanitarian pause as an interim measure, acknowledging the urgency of protecting civilians while pursuing a political solution.