At a time when the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic and the G7 leaders are calling for humanitarian pauses and corridors, but not a ceasefire, while Israel continues its bombardments and its ground operation in the heart of Gaza City in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October, French President Emmanuel Macron is organising an ‘International Humanitarian Conference for Gaza’s Civilian Population’ at the Élysée Palace on Thursday 9 November, which will be attended by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (see EUROPE 13287/4).
Although the UN has put humanitarian needs at €1.2 billion, this conference is not about making financial pledges, but first and foremost about mobilising to try and effectively respond to the humanitarian emergency facing Gazans and Israeli hostages by workable solutions.
“The important thing is not just to have financial resources, but the capacity to go into Gaza. And for that, the border has to give greater capacity for transportation of the humanitarian aid”, stressed the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, from Japan on the same day. And added: “The European Union strongly supports the opening of humanitarian corridors and the humanitarian pauses in order to make the aid possible, and the hostages being released”.
Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Charles Michel stressed that “each civilian matters always and everywhere”, that “a total siege (of Gaza) is not in line with international law” and that “the more the situation deteriorates, the harder it will be to work towards a lasting peace in the future”.
And he thanked France, Cyprus and Greece for their contributions to “alleviating the suffering”, in particular “their concrete actions like a maritime hospital and a maritime corridor”.
Three objectives for tangible results. According to Paris, the aim of the conference is to bring together people of goodwill to achieve three objectives: - share as objective an assessment as possible of the situation on the ground; - work together to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to strengthen humanitarian access to Gaza, in particular water, energy and food; - increase mobilisation to help the population by supporting the agencies, international organisations and NGOs active on the ground.
Israel will not be represented, but contacts with the Israeli authorities are ongoing. “Everyone has an interest in improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including Israel”, a source close to the President said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Mr Macron held talks with the Israeli Prime Minister, the Egyptian President and the Emir of Qatar. He will meet Benyamin Netanyahu again after the conference, according to the same source.
The Commissioner-General of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), Philippe Lazzarini, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, whose convoy carrying medical supplies near Gaza was targeted on Tuesday, and NGOs will be taking part in the conference.
The President of Cyprus, Níkos Christodoulídis, will also be present - an opportunity to discuss Cyprus’ offer of a maritime corridor.
The Prime Ministers of Greece, the Palestinian Authority, Ireland and Luxembourg, as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, are among the participants.
Welcoming the conference, Amnesty International on Wednesday called on “all States to push for an immediate ceasefire to ensure that the people of Gaza receive sustained, effective, and impactful humanitarian aid”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang with Mathieu Bion)