EP calls for immediate, permanent ceasefire between Israel, Hamas

Source: Xinhua | 01-16-2009 09:00

BRUSSELS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday adopted a resolution on the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic movement of Hamas, which should include the halt to rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel and the end of Israel's military action in Gaza.

The resolution, adopted at the plenary session of the EP in Strasbourg, France, urges a negotiated truce that should be guaranteed by a mechanism which should be set up by the international community with coordination by the Quartet and the Arab League and could include the dispatching of a multinational presence, and encourages the diplomatic efforts so far undertaken by the international community, especially Egypt and the European Union (EU).

The resolution also urges the Israeli authorities to allow the international press into the Gaza strip and to guarantee that there is continuous and sufficient flow of the aid through humanitarian corridors.

The document asks the Israeli authorities to allow an unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance and aid to the Gaza Strip and to guarantee that the continuous and sufficient flow of the aid through humanitarian corridors.

Meanwhile, in the resolution, the members of the EP express their shock at the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza and deplore that civilian and UN targets have been hit during the attacks. They also express their sympathy for the civilian population affected by the violence in Gaza and in Southern Israel.

While urging Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, the European Parliament also calls on Hamas to assume its own responsibilities by committing itself to a political process aimed at restoring inter-Palestinian dialogue and contributing to the ongoing process of negotiation.

The resolution also stresses the need to renew the efforts for inter-Palestinian reconciliation between all the components of the Palestinian society based on the Mecca agreement of February 2007,which implied the acceptance of the previous agreements including the right of Israel to exist, and underline the need for peaceful and lasting political reunification of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Editor:Zhang Yun