Dear President,

Council Presidency,

Honourable Members,

We are greatly concerned about the situation in Gaza and the threats to the fragile ceasefire. We urge both parties to ensure the ceasefire holds and that all hostages are released.

The top priority for Gaza is to resume full access to humanitarian aid. There are 3.1 million people affected by 15 months of conflict prior to the January ceasefire.

The European Union and its member states are the largest financial supporters of the Palestinians, having already mobilized an additional EUR 120 million for humanitarian assistance, bringing our total contribution since the onset of the Gaza crisis to EUR 450 million.

This package of essential services includes food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. So far, 4,500 tonnes of humanitarian cargo have been transported via Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Gaza.

Extending the ceasefire or moving to the second phase of it, and the release of all hostages, are the only ways to permanently end hostilities and start the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

The EU is currently focusing on scaling up humanitarian support and preparing for a longer-term recovery and reconstruction phase.

On February 18, the EU released its Gaza Rapid Disaster Need Assessment, together with the UN and the World Bank. This report estimates that EUR 49 billion is needed for recovery over the next decade.

The international community must make collective efforts to support Gazas recovery and reconstruction. This is why we are closely working with our Arab partners.

Recovery and reconstruction can only start when there is stability on the ground, including arrangements on governance and security in Gaza.

We reject any attempt of relocation of the population or territorial changes in Gaza and the West Bank. Discussions on recovery and reconstruction must involve the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority is their legitimate body.

We encourage Israel to support the Palestinian Authority by releasing withheld tax revenues. We hope other regional stakeholders, including in the Gulf, will also support this approach.

Finally, colleagues, I want to highlight the essential role of UNRWA. They have delivered more than half of the emergency response in Gaza over the past 15 months.

We will continue our support to Palestinian refugees and the UN Agency. We look forward to the High-Level Political Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority in April.

Thank you. I look forward to our debate.