Rights group accuses EU of complicity in Gaza genocide over reconstruction conditions

The Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) has sharply criticized the European Union's stance on Gaza's reconstruction, making it conditional on demilitarization of the coastal territory.

In a statement released on Thursday, Euro-Med Monitor warned that linking reconstruction of Gaza to demilitarization legitimizes the ongoing Israeli genocide of the people in Gaza, and violates basic norms of international law.

The international rights organization added that the move is a deliberate attempt to ignore the grave crimes committed against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

it argued that linking reconstruction to demilitarization violates fundamental norms of international law, including peremptory obligations to protect civilians.

The group emphasized that Gaza has suffered near-total destruction since Israel's genocidal war since October 2023, with widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and essential services.

Conditioning humanitarian recovery and survival on political or security prerequisites unrelated to civilian protection obligations effectively ignores Israel's grave crimes against Palestinians, turning victims' rights into tools of coercion.

The organization specifically condemned recent statements by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

In remarks on January 29 and February 2, 2026, Kallas stated that "Gaza’s reconstruction will depend on Hamas’ demilitarisation."

She reiterated this position following a Foreign Affairs Council meeting, noting progress on reopening the Rafah crossing as a "concrete and positive step" in a broader peace plan, while stressing that urgent aid is needed and reconstruction hinges on Hamas giving up its weapons.

Kallas has described this as part of supporting a ceasefire framework, including governance reforms and humanitarian access, amid discussions of a technocratic Palestinian administration and international involvement.

Euro-Med Monitor called Kallas' position a deviation from the EU's legal duties to prevent genocide and accused it of reinforcing the bloc's complicity in Israel's genocidal war against Palestinian civilians.

The group demanded that Kallas publicly retract her statements and that the EU refrain from policies providing cover for continued violence.

It urged the bloc to prioritize unconditional humanitarian aid, infrastructure repair, and reconstruction without political preconditions.

The criticism comes amid ongoing post-ceasefire dynamics in Gaza. Recent developments include limited reopening of the Rafah crossing for aid and medical evacuations, though restrictions persist.

Euro-Med Monitor, an independent rights organization with offices across Europe and the MENA region, has consistently documented Israeli violations in Gaza, including destruction of cemeteries, obstruction of aid, and efforts to reshape territory through demolitions.

It has repeatedly called for international accountability, arms embargoes, and recognition of the situation as genocide.

The EU maintains it is the largest humanitarian donor to Palestinians and supports reconstruction efforts once conditions allow, while emphasizing that Hamas cannot play a future governance role.

Euro-Med Monitor views such conditional approaches as perpetuating impunity and undermining civilians' right to life, recovery, and dignity in a territory described as almost entirely devastated.

The statement aligns with Euro-Med Monitor's broader advocacy for lifting Gaza's blockade, ending military assaults, and ensuring Palestinian-led recovery grounded in international law.

How Palestinians view Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan

US President Donald Trump introduced a reconstruction plan for Gaza last year as part of his so-called peace proposal.

Palestinian health authorities say that since ceasefire, the Israeli regime’s forces have killed at least 527 Palestinians and injured 1,447 others in their attacks.

Since Israeli launched its genocidal assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 71,000 Palestinians and wounded over 171,000 others, most of them women and children, while destroying around 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk