The EU is gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza. An immediate return to the ceasefire is essential, leading to the release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostilities. The EU is deeply concerned about reoccurring incidents resulting in the death of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and calls for accountability. Unimpeded humanitarian aid access and distribution, as well as the supply of electricity to Gaza, must be resumed immediately. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully  comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. The EU reiterates the importance of  ensuring the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools and UN premises. The EU also deplores the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. Too many Israelis and Palestinians have suffered and the death toll of civilians in Gaza is unacceptable. It is time to break the cycle of violence and ensure peace and security for all. In this vein, we reiterate our commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The EU also strongly condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel’s military operation and increased terrorist attacks against Israel. The EU reiterates its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and activity. The EU calls for safe access to the holy sites and for the Status Quo to be upheld. The EU will work on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations that support them, as well as against Hamas.

Let me turn to the situation in Syria. The fall of Assad’s criminal regime is a historic opportunity for all Syrians to reunite and rebuild the country. The EU supports an inclusive, Syria-owned and Syrian-led transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and reiterates its support for the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy in this regard. The EU welcomes the recent appointment of a new transitional government and looks forward to engaging with it to tackle the immense challenges ahead. The EU will continue to lead international efforts in support of the Syrian people, as recently underscored by the Brussels IX Conference convened by the EU in March. In view of the serious challenges facing the transition and the catastrophic humanitarian and economic situation, the EU urges the international community to step up its assistance. The European Union recalls the EU’s recent suspension of restrictive measures as part of a gradual, reversible approach. The EU will continue to examine possible further suspensions of restrictive measures on the basis of close monitoring of the situation in Syria.  Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders must be fully respected, in accordance with international law. The EU calls on Israel to uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. The EU reiterates its support for UNDOF and recalls the importance of UNSC resolution 497 (1981). The demilitarized buffer zone must be respected. The EU remains concerned by the destabilising role of foreign backed armed groups across the country. The EU condemns any malign attempts to undermine Syria’s stability and prospects for a peaceful and inclusive political transition.

Finally, the EU reiterates its call for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in the shortest possible timeframe and the full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The EU recalls the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon and is fully committed to continue supporting it as well as the Lebanese state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces.