The horrifying terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other terrorists on 7 October 2023 have had an impact in the region, the European Union, and the entire world. Our thoughts and hearts have been with the families of those 1,200 innocent people who were brutally assassinated, as well as with the unspeakable suffering of the hostages and their families. Hamas must free all hostages immediately and unconditionally. The Israeli people cannot look at the future with confidence until they can be certain that October 7 will never happen again. 

The past year has also seen the horrible suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and later in the West Bank too. The war declared by the Israeli government on Hamas until total victory has led to a terrible humanitarian crisis. The intense bombing has reduced most of the enclave to rubble. More than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed. Most Gazans have been driven from their homes and the intense bombing have reduced most of the enclave to rubble. The population is suffering hunger and diseases as Israel besieges the Gaza strip. The scars run deep and the Palestinian people cannot see any future unless their rights are respected. 

The EU has done every effort to alleviate the extreme needs of the Palestinian people, including cases of starvation or basic lack of vaccination for children, by mobilising unprecedented levels of humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, that aid does not always reach those in need, and in too many cases it has been obstructed and impeded. The EU has also consistently warned about disproportionate use of force incompatible with International Humanitarian Law, which must be respected at all times, including in the fight against terrorism and in the exercise of the legitimate right of self-defence.

One year after the terrible attack against Israel, the situation is only getting worse. The people in the region are more insecure than ever and are caught in an unending cycle of violence, hatred, and revenge. The whole Middle east is on the verge of a complete conflagration that the international community looks unable to control. 

The European Union deplores and rejects the escalation of violence across the Middle East, including with the launch of rockets by Hezbollah. We are alarmed by Israeli bombardments in densely populated areas of Lebanon, where the majority of casualties are civilians. More than one million of Lebanese are now displaced, while 60,000 Israelis are unable to return home in Northern Israel. Then launch of missiles from Iran against Israel is escalatory and brings the region closer to war. At the same time new developments in the West Bank are particularly worrying.

No military solution will bring a future to the people of Israel and Palestine. Only a political solution will bring peace, security and prosperity. The EU has been working closely with its Arab partners on ways to push and implement the Two-State solution. Just two weeks ago in New York, the EU rallied a huge number of UN members behind that political solution. The EU will continue working to that end in the conviction that is the only possible way to ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The EU considers that an immediate ceasefire on all fronts is the only way to get to the liberation of the hostages and de-escalate this extremely dangerous situation for the region that would seriously impact the whole world. The EU has consistently called for this and has been working with partners to achieve it. 

The EU will continue to work tirelessly to pave the way for diplomacy on various fronts. Essential steps now include launching a political process in Lebanon for the presidential election, the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the South, a more robust mandate for the UNIFIL, and organizing an urgent humanitarian conference.

The time for the ceasefire is now, precisely one year after the terrorist attacks. Tomorrow might be too late. The October 7 anniversary only reinforces the EU efforts on the need to achieve that regional ceasefire.