The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s (PACE) rapporteur on the Middle East, Dora Bakoyannis from Greece, has delivered a stark warning about the dire situation in Gaza, highlighting the overwhelming toll on civilians, according to a PACE. Nearly two years after Hamas’s deadly attack, the region faces a humanitarian disaster marked by death, displacement, and starvation affecting both Palestinian and Israeli communities.
Bakoyannis described Gaza as “a landscape of death and devastation,” with 661 days of conflict leaving countless families shattered. She cited Iair Horn, a former hostage held for 498 days, who explained how food shortages harm both captives and the population. The rapporteur stressed that urging Israel to end the crisis is not antisemitism—a view shared by 74 percent of Israeli society, including senior officials.
The original goals of rescuing hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military have been overshadowed by plans seen as illegal by the international community, including annexation of Gaza and forcing its people to flee. Bakoyannis expressed deep concern that the ongoing suffering only serves to strengthen Hamas’s message, while eroding Israel’s standing.
She called on all leaders to act swiftly: “This catastrophe must not continue. Hostages must be freed. The suffering of civilians must stop.”
Bakoyannis reminded the world that history is watching and holding leaders accountable, urging them to choose humanity over politics.
