Whereas on October 7th, 2023, the State of Israel was the victim of a brutal terrorist attack when thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded and carried out a massacre against civilians which included rape, torture, the murder of over 1,200 men, women, children and elderly people, and the abduction of hundreds of civilians; whereas October 7th was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Shoah and accounts for the highest number of fatalities in a single day in Israel’s history; Whereas the terrorist group Hamas on October 7th kidnapped an estimated 200 individuals — including children, women, elderly people, Holocaust survivors and some EU nationals — and still holds 59 persons hostage in Gaza; Whereas these hostages are being held in inhumane conditions, including sexual violence, starvation and other forms of abuse, in underground tunnels and buildings, and have been forced to participate in Hamas propaganda videos — in one instance, even being forced to stage their own death; Whereas hostage-taking is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime; whereas the ongoing violation of international law contributes to the continuation of the armed conflict, whereas the release of all the hostages is a precondition for peace; Whereas Hamas’ refusal to release hostages made the extension of the 2025 ceasefire impossible, leading to new strikes and further civilian causalities on both sides; Whereas a significant amount of false information and manipulated content has been circulating; whereas there should be no tolerance for terrorism and hostage-taking, for the glorification of violence or for those calling for the destruction of Israel and of Jewish life; Whereas the fanatic Ayatollah regime of Iran has made the destruction of the State of Israel its goal, has attacked Israel’s civilian population with thousands of missiles and is targeting Israeli civilians and Jews around the world, and is the main obstacle to Middle Eastern security; Whereas Hamas is listed on the EU list of terrorist organisations; Whereas Israel’s right to exist comes with an obligation to defend itself and its citizens; whereas Israel’s right to self-defence is enshrined in and constrained by international law; Whereas 80 years after World War Two and the Holocaust, we must learn from history the need to fight hatred and antisemitism; The European People’s Party: 1. Condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the despicable terrorist attacks committed by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel and expresses its support for the State of Israel and its people; 2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by the terrorist group Hamas and for the bodies of deceased hostages to be returned; 3. Commits to work for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; recalls that the long-term goal is peace and security and stability for the region, which requires all hostages to be freed; and emphasises that peace can only begin with the end of terror; 4. Encourages all efforts with the support of the international community, to achieve a two-state solution with safe and recognised borders.