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Press release |

Ceasefire must mark start of road to lasting peace

Israel-Gaza

Negotiations have reached an agreement on a ceasefire to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza, likely starting from this Sunday. On Monday evening in Strasbourg, MEPs will debate the urgent need to ensure the ceasefire holds with the release of hostages and prisoners, an end to the violence, and the flow of aid to stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments: 

“We welcome this urgently needed ceasefire and proposed release of hostages and the lifting of the blockades so that humanitarian aid can reach the people of Gaza. This ceasefire must lay the foundations to build a permanent peace and reinvigorate the two-state solution. The EU must encourage the parties to finalise and respect the agreement and contribute to immediately delivering humanitarian and medical aid into and across Gaza. 

“Today must mark a turning point in the Middle East. We must never see a return to the violence and bloodshed that has hurt so many families. While the ceasefire will not heal the wounds or lessen the pain for those who have lost loved ones, it must mark the end of a vicious cycle of violence.”

Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments: 

“This ceasefire is very welcome, but unless the root causes of the violence are addressed then this risks being remembered as little more than a respite from a much longer war. The EU must play its part in ensuring that the peace holds, and that the dead may be laid to rest and communities can rebuild. 

“Lifting the ban on UNRWA will be essential in delivering aid to the people of Gaza. In the longer term, a representative, democratic and peaceful two-state solution is the only way to prevent the return to war and to guarantee human rights and human dignity in the region.”

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Responsible MEPs

Bas Eickhout
Bas Eickhout
Co-President
Terry Reintke
Terry Reintke
Co-President

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