Israel/Palestine: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on Gaza

The EU welcomes President Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza, which offers a way out of this devastating conflict, ensuring an immediate ceasefire and release of all remaining hostages, and guaranteeing the provision of full humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, with a central role for the UN and its agencies – all elements that have long constituted core EU priorities.

The EU supports the principles outlined by President Trump on a demilitarised Hamas with no role in future governance, the removal of any threat to Israel and its people, that Gaza will not be occupied and that Palestinians will not be displaced. Respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, is a must.

Transitional arrangements should pave the way for lasting and sustainable peace through a credible pathway towards a political horizon for Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, based on the principles endorsed by a large majority of UN Member States. We take note of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held on 22 September, at the initiative of France and Saudi Arabia.

The EU, thanks to its consistent commitment to the Palestinian people and support to regional integration and to a reformed Palestinian Authority, also in view of its return to Gaza, is ready to offer a valuable contribution to this plan through the variety of tools at its disposal. We are ready to engage with regional partners to work jointly on the next steps.

The EU welcomes Israel’s decision to support the plan. We urge Hamas to follow the plan, release all remaining hostages and lay down its arms. The EU calls on those who have influence to bear to pass these messages to Hamas. There is no military solution to this conflict. We call on all parties to seize this opportunity and engage constructively to immediately end the tragedy in Gaza and begin the process of building a better future for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.