EU Statement - HRC60 - Item 4, General debate on human rights situ... 4 of 8 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/eu-statement-hrc60... international law. Displaced Gazans should be ensured a safe and dignified return to their homes in Gaza. Following the report on Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and as a result of an EU-led dialogue, Israel committed to take concrete steps to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The EU recalls that Israel, as the occupying power, has, inter alia, the obligation to protect the population under its occupation. We recall further that Israel is obliged under international law to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the population in need, and has the obligation to respect and protect relief personnel as well as the responsibility to ensure a safe operating environment for humanitarian workers. The EU reiterates its strong condemnation of the escalating violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements, Israeli demolitions and Israel’s military operation and terrorist attacks against Israel. The EU stresses that the settlements are illegal under international law and reiterates its call on Israel to halt settlement construction and to cease its settlement policy, including demolitions, forced transfers, evictions and confiscations of homes. The EU will also continue to work on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and entities that support them, as well as against Hamas. Israel must make further efforts to prevent settler violence and fully ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. The EU stresses the importance of respecting and implementing the orders rendered by the International Court of Justice, which are legally binding. The EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 lines, unless agreed by the parties. The EU recalls that annexation is illegal under international law. The EU remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the twostate solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability. We further call on Israel to cooperate fully with UN human rights mechanisms and special procedures. The EU positively takes note of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The EU is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran, particularly the persistently high and alarming rate of executions. The EU unequivocally opposes the use of the death penalty, in all cases and under all circumstances, and urges Iran to pursue a consistent policy towards its abolition. The EU calls on Iran to end all forms of discrimination, in law and in practice, against women and girls as well as persons belonging to religious, linguistic and ethnic minorities. We remain concerned about the restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, offline and online. This includes the 21/10/2025, 12:35