IPU leadership statement on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza
On behalf of the global parliamentary community, we reiterate our grave concern over the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We are profoundly horrified by the immense suffering being inflicted upon the civilian population of Gaza, including famine, caused by the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and severe restrictions on humanitarian and other vital aid entering the Strip. We reaffirm that the use of starvation as a method of warfare is a violation of international law and must end immediately.
We acknowledge the conclusions of the legal analysis of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, issued on 16 September 2025. The Commission concluded that genocidal acts, as defined under the Genocide Convention, are being committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.
We further condemn the breach of international law resulting from the strike by Israel on Doha on 9 September 2025, in violation of the sovereignty of Qatar.
Two years after the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas and other groups on 7 October 2023, we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining Israeli hostages.
We underline again the obligations of all Member States of the United Nations to uphold international law. We reaffirm our support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and urge the pursuit of a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the 1967 borders, as endorsed in the Resolution adopted at the 150th IPU Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 9 April 2025. We acknowledge the recognition of the State of Palestine by a growing number of States.
We remain steadfast in our support of peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and for the people of the broader region. We call on our Member Parliaments to use all available parliamentary powers to demand an end to the war, rapid and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and respect for international law, especially international humanitarian law.
The IPU was one of the first international organizations to admit Palestine as a full Member, in 2008, reflecting its longstanding commitment to inter-parliamentary dialogue.
The IPU’s Committee on Middle East Questions, established in 1989, remains the only international parliamentary forum which brings together Israeli and Palestinian representatives. We welcome the forthcoming meeting of the Committee and express our continued support for its role as a vital platform for dialogue. We also welcome the subject of the General Debate of the 151st IPU Assembly, in which the global parliamentary community will discuss how it can uphold humanitarian norms and support humanitarian action in times of crisis.
We believe that this period of suffering must give way to a new future for the region — based on coexistence, justice and peace for all. We are convinced that the parliaments in the region and beyond have a unique and common role to play in shaping this vision. The IPU and the global parliamentary community stand ready to support endeavours to that end.
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong
Gaza City, on September 25, 2025 (Hassan Jedi / Anadolu via AFP)
