Netherlands will plead for humanitarian help for Gaza Strip

The Dutch government will work for humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip and a permanent corridor in the south of Gaza to supply relief goods from Egypt. The government will also argue for “humanitarian pauses” in the combat to provide aid.

However, the Netherlands will not advocate for a ceasefire and will not take a position on whether Israel is committing war crimes at this time, outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a parliamentary debate ahead of a European summit on the war between Hamas and Israel, NOS reports.

The parliamentary debate on Tuesday lasted well into the night. Part of the Tweede Kamer argued for a ceasefire. Led by D66 and GroenLinks-PvdA, various parties wanted the Netherlands to stand firm on ending any use of weapons between Israel and Hamas.

The parties also submitted a motion stating that the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner said that Israel was violating international law. In the motion, the parties call for immediately supplying the Gaza Strip with drinking water and fuel.

Rutte objected to the motion. Not because of its purpose but because it states that Israel violated international laws of war. It is not up to the Netherlands to take a position on this complicated issue now. “That requires international research,” the outgoing Prime Minister said.

Rutte will also not advocate for a ceasefire. According to him, it is too complicated at the moment, has too many snags, and places the Netherlands in isolation.

The Dutch government is committed to a permanent humanitarian corridor for aid to the Gaza Strip, he said, and humanitarian pauses in the combat for that aid to be provided.

A broad majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, supports the government’s efforts. The motions that want the Cabinet to do more will likely not receive majority support. The EU summit is on Thursday and Friday.