Parliamentary Assembly

Draft resolution

1The Parliamentary Assembly is extremely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the lack of significant steps by the international community and all parties involved to put an end to the hardship of the people living in Gaza.

2Since the 2014 Israeli military operation in Gaza, the situation has worsened significantly: over 2 200 people have died, of whom most were civilians, including 551 children; more than 11 000 people have been injured; over 12 620 houses have been totally destroyed and 6 455 severely damaged; and 28% of the population of Gaza has been displaced.

3The nine-year blockade of Gaza by both Israel and Egypt has subjected its population to collective punishment in contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law. 75 000 people are still displaced and 43% of Gaza’s population is unemployed, a figure which rises to 60% among young people. In all, 80% of the population relies on humanitarian assistance. The territory of Gaza is suffering from insufficient power supply and a lack of drinking water. According to a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, due to severe damage to the coastal aquifer and the overall environmental degradation, Gaza is in danger of becoming unlivable by 2020.

4The humanitarian crisis is also characterised by the precarious situation of the public health and education systems. The destruction of hospitals and lack of drugs and medical equipment have led to a significant increase in chronic diseases and cases of cancer and an urgent need for more surgeries. Many schools have been destroyed or damaged and others are being used as emergency shelters for displaced persons.

5The Assembly recalls its Resolution 1940 (2013) on the situation in the Middle East and reiterates its constant position that only a negotiated, two-State solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the cessation of the construction of new settlements and of the extension of old ones on the Palestinian territory can create the necessary framework for the normalisation of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the promotion of Palestinian State-building. It encourages the Government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority to start negotiations towards a mutual and full commitment to this solution.

6The Assembly considers that respect for the ceasefire should be the main precondition for the normalisation of the lives of the people in Gaza. To this end, it is important to upgrade security co-operation between the Palestinian authorities and Israel in line with the relevant articles of the Agreement on Movement and Access of November 2005.

7Significant progress in the reconstruction of property in Gaza and the delivery of basic services for its economic development can only be possible under a united Palestinian Authority, able to ensure security and democratic governance in the Palestinian territories.

8The Assembly considers that a rapid solution to the Gaza humanitarian crisis is essential to ensuring stability in the Middle East. The lifting of the blockade by Israel and Egypt is a vital precondition for the resolution of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and should be facilitated by the international community through the creation of security conditions necessary for the free movement of people and goods. With this aim, a new international conference on the reconstruction of Gaza should be called.

9The Assembly considers that its member States, Israel and the Palestinian authorities should mobilise all their efforts to alleviate the humanitarian plight of the population of the Gaza Strip and therefore calls on:

9.1the international community to:

9.1.1ensure access to and provision of medical and social services for the population of Gaza;

9.1.2provide a sustainable solution concerning water and energy supplies to Gaza;

9.1.3speed up the construction of new schools to keep pace with population growth;

9.1.4allocate the required funding to the continuation of reconstruction projects in order to provide adequate housing for displaced persons in Gaza;

9.1.5involve women from Israeli and Palestinian society in the peace negotiations, as is mentioned in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000);

9.1.6provide special protection for women, children and disabled people in Gaza;

9.2the Israeli authorities to:

9.2.1lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip to ensure that the population of Gaza has access to basic and inalienable human rights;

9.2.2prepare for the removal of the blockade by upgrading the crossing point between Israel and Gaza at Kerem Shalom, and developing further crossing points at Erez and Karni;

9.2.3assist in facilitating Gaza’s exports to Israel, the West Bank and beyond, particularly of agricultural products and textiles, and enable Palestinian workers to seek employment in Israel;

9.2.4increase the fresh water supply to Gaza, until desalination plants can be constructed;

9.2.5reconsider the list of restricted materials for import to Gaza with the aim of increasing the imported quantities of permitted construction materials, computer equipment, vehicles and chemicals for agriculture and the water supply;

9.2.6expand the fishing zone to 20 nautical miles, as provided for under the Oslo Accords;

9.2.7refrain from the use of force without justification against Palestinian civilians in the buffer and fishing zones;

9.2.8co-operate with the relevant Assembly rapporteurs by granting them access to the territory of Gaza;

9.3the Palestinian authorities to:

9.3.1reject and condemn acts of terrorism against Israel;

9.3.2form an effective and cohesive government, bridging the two territories;

9.3.3prepare a multiannual action plan for Palestinian State-building;

9.3.4combat all forms of discrimination against women;

9.3.5sign and respect an agreement with Israel concerning the water supply in Gaza.

10The Assembly urges the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to fully co-operate with the International Criminal Court’s preliminary examination of the situation in Gaza, which started on 16 January 2015. It also urges its member States to support a possible future official examination by the International Criminal Court, if the preliminary findings show that there are reasonable grounds for doing so.

11The Assembly also calls on its member States to provide the necessary resources to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for their emergency assistance projects in Gaza.

12The Assembly considers that it is vitally important to facilitate the work of international and national non-governmental organisations which are providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and to improve the co-ordination of their activities. The work of human right organisations should also be facilitated.