Debate on Israeli attacks on Gaza blocked in European Parliament

BRUSSELS

The majority of the European Parliament on Monday rejected a request to hold a debate on recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to the Left group in the chamber.

In a statement on US social media company X, the group said it had called for a debate as reports of continued bombings in Gaza and southern Lebanon persist despite the announcement of a ceasefire.

A total of 433 lawmakers participated in the vote, with 173 in favor, 244 against, and 16 abstentions, the group said.

"The right and centre voted no," it added.

EU lawmakers gathered in Strasbourg, France, for a plenary session scheduled to run from Nov. 24 to 27.

The new attacks came in violation of the ceasefire that took effect in Gaza on Oct. 10.

According to local authorities, at least 342 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire since the ceasefire.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed nearly 70,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,900 during a two-year war that reduced most of the enclave to rubble.