European Council

Middle East

EU leaders are deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the risk this represents for the entire region. To this end, they called on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to hostilities and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.

The EU is fully committed to helping to de-escalate the situation, reduce tensions, provide needs-based assistance to the people in the Middle East, especially the most vulnerable, and to scale up its humanitarian engagement.

Iran/Israel

EU leaders condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on Israel on 1 October and Iran’s destabilising actions in the Middle East through terrorist and armed groups such as the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas. They reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself and the EU’s commitment to Israel’s security and regional stability.

International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties and the dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliations must end.

European Council conclusions, 17 October 2024

Following the anniversary of Hamas’ tragic attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, leaders condemned these unjustified acts of deliberate violence, expressed their solidarity with the families of the victims and the hostages taken by Hamas, and reiterated their call for the unconditional release of all hostages.

Lebanon

The EU is deeply concerned about the military escalation in Lebanon, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, the forced displacement caused by the escalating violence and the persistent use of military force. It is vital that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected, and that international law and Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

Rocket attacks by Hezbollah must stop.

European Council conclusions, 17 October 2024

In this context, EU leaders called for an immediate ceasefire across the withdrawal line on the Lebanese-Israeli border (the ‘Blue Line’) and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which entails the full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers (UN Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL) may be deployed between the Israeli border and the Litani river in Lebanon.

They also:

• called on all partners to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis
• reiterated the EU’s support for the state institutions of Lebanon
• called on all partners of Lebanon to contribute to strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces
• reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for the people affected on the ground, including refugees, internationally displaced persons and host communities

EU leaders also condemned the attacks against UNIFIL, emphasising that these attacks are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately.

The European Council recalls that all actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.

European Council conclusions, 17 October 2024

In this regard, the leaders called on all parties to fully uphold their obligations to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel at all times and to allow UNIFIL to implement its mandate.

Gaza

The EU deplores the unacceptable number of civilian casualties in Gaza and the West Bank, especially women and children, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and the imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza.

In this context, leaders reiterated their call for:

• an immediate ceasefire
• urgently improved access and the sustained distribution of sufficient humanitarian assistance
• an enduring end to the hostilities, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735
• the full implementation of the orders of the International Court of Justice

They also expressed their support for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States and recognised the central role of Jordan in de-escalating the crisis.

Settler violence

At the European Council meeting on 27 June 2024, EU leaders strongly condemned the extremist settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and called for:

• safe access to holy sites
• the preservation of the status quo
• respect for the special status of Jerusalem and its Old City, as well as its sacred spaces and all its communities

Building on that meeting, the leaders strongly condemned further escalation in the West Bank following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel’s military operation. They also invited the Council to advance work on new sanctions against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations that support them.

Two-state solution

EU leaders reiterated the EU’s unwavering commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. They also reaffirmed the EU’s support for the Palestinian Authority to help address its most pressing needs and support its reform agenda.

The EU will actively support and engage with international partners to implement the two-state solution. In this regard, the leaders stressed that a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood is a crucial component of that process.

UN

EU leaders affirmed their full and unwavering support for the UN Secretary-General. They also stressed the essential role of the UN and its agencies, notably the UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which provides support to the civilian population in Gaza and the wider region. They condemned any attempt to repeal the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or otherwise obstruct the agency’s capacity to fulfil its mandate.

Red Sea

EU leaders discussed the situation in the Red Sea and called on the Houthis to immediately stop all attacks and to allow maritime security to be restored. They stressed the crucial contribution of the EU naval operations Aspides and Atalanta in promoting maritime security and freedom of navigation.