EU Statement at IAEA Board of Governors on the Situation in the Middle East under AOB

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^[1], the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

The EU recalls its Council and European Council Conclusions of March, April and June 2024. We reiterated the urgent need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, supporting US President Biden's ceasefire proposal, without delay and without conditions. The EU has consistently supported the tireless efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar to facilitate the negotiations. This would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, a significant and substantial increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and an enduring end to hostilities. That deal will also pave the way for regional de-escalation.

The EU remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, and on the basis of the two-state solution. The EU is actively working with international and regional partners towards reviving a political process to this end. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU and of several Arab States discussed the way ahead at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May. The EU calls on regional actors to refrain from any action that can further aggravate the situation.

We recall our condemnation of Hamas in the strongest possible terms for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel on 7 October 2023. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. We deplore all loss of civilian life, and call on all parties to take every feasible step to protect civilian lives. The number of civilian casualties, especially children, is unacceptable. The EU stresses the need to implement the orders of the International Court of Justice, which are legally binding, including the orders of 26 January and 24 May 2024.

We commend the strong efforts of the UN and all humanitarian actors to deliver lifesaving aid in extremely dire conditions. The EU condemns any attempts to label a UN agency as a terrorist organisation. We continue to call on all parties to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians, humanitarian workers and facilities, and reaffirm the urgency of allowing and facilitating humanitarian workers and international organisations to operate effectively in Gaza. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the EU has mobilised all its crisis response tools to channel aid to Gaza, and has significantly increased its funding to humanitarian partners. The EU will continue supporting those civilians most in need.

Thank you, Chair.

[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.