Swedish Government’s response to the situation in Israel and Palestine, with a focus on Gaza

The agreement and the peace plan do not absolve any party from its obligations under international law. Any violations must be investigated and those responsible must be held to account. The Government’s efforts to stand up for international law will persist.

The Government has consistently urged all parties to comply with international humanitarian law.

• Israel’s right to defend itself must be exercised in compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law.
• All parties in a conflict have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to ensure that to ensure that the civilian population’s humanitarian needs are met.
• Civilians must always be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law. Direct attacks on civilians and civilian property are prohibited. Civilians must not be used as human shields. The principles of distinction between military targets and civilian objects, proportionality and precaution must always be applied.
• Hospitals and hospital transports enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law.

Sweden’s response to the situation focuses on the following areas:

Increased humanitarian assistance and humanitarian access

Since 7 October 2023, Sweden has provided more than SEK 1.5 billion to the humanitarian response in Gaza. Sweden is also a major donor of core support to several humanitarian organisations on the ground. The support is used to address the most urgent needs, such as emergency medical care, shelter, access to food, health care, psychosocial support, maternity care, water and sanitation.

It is reassuring that there have been some improvements to humanitarian access in Gaza, but the humanitarian needs are still enormous and the situation is still very serious. The Government views with considerable concern the restrictions that are preventing international non-governmental organisations from operating. Israel has an obligation under international law to ensure safe, unrestricted and lasting humanitarian access in Gaza, and it is of the utmost importance that this access is provided. The Swedish Government has actively pursued the issue of increased humanitarian access since the outbreak of hostilities and continues to set clear requirements in Sweden’s contacts with Israel, both independently and together with other EU countries. 

Humanitarian assistance must never be used as a means of coercion. The UN and other humanitarian actors must be permitted to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce human suffering. Humanitarian aid workers and medical staff must be protected and respected. Under international humanitarian law, Israel has a specific responsibility to ensure that the civilian population’s needs are met in Gaza. Furthermore, in a legally binding order on provisional measures, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to improve humanitarian access. Israel is obliged to comply with this. Sweden gives its full support to the ICJ.

Active participation in multilateral cooperation

Sweden is involved in the extensive efforts ongoing in the EU and the UN, and has also voiced its support for several important resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly. These resolutions have included a demand for a ceasefire, addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed the advisory opinions of the ICJ regarding Israel’s obligations under international law as an occupying force, in relation to the presence and activities of the UN and other organisations in occupied Palestinian territory. It is a welcome development that on 17 November 2025, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to approve the peace plan for Gaza.

The EU needs to contribute collectively to Gaza’s stabilisation, transitional governance, recovery and reconstruction. The Government welcomes the efforts of the EU’s civilian crisis management missions – the European Union Mission for the Support of Palestinian Police and Rule of Law (EUPOL COPPS), which is supporting the work of the Palestinian Authority on security and judicial reforms to improve security in Palestine, and the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah), which has been tasked with supporting border control operations at the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt – and the readiness of these missions to contribute to the implementation of the agreement and the peace plan. Sweden currently contributes to EUPOL COPPS and is prepared to resume its contributions to EUBAM Rafah.

Sanctions against Hamas

Hamas has been on the EU’s list of terrorist organisations for more than 20 years. Following the attacks on 7 October 2023, the EU added a number of leading Hamas representatives to this list. The sanctions involve freezing listed individuals’ assets in the EU, and prohibiting EU actors from making funds available to Hamas and the listed individuals. Following 7 October 2023, the EU also set up a separate sanctions regime against those who support, facilitate, or enable violent acts by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). On 12 April 2024, the EU also decided to introduce sanctions against several Hamas and PIJ units, whose representatives used sexual and gender-based violence during the attacks of 7 October 2023, by listing them on the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

Israeli settlements and settler violence

Sweden and the EU are deeply concerned by the rising settler violence in the West Bank and the expansion of settlements. Israel’s settlement policy is in violation of international law, undermines the two-state solution and contributes to an elevated conflict level. It is critical that Israel, like other states, lives up to the requirements set out under international law. Deaths must be investigated and accountability ensured.

The Swedish Government has pushed for the EU to introduce sanctions against extremist settlers who carry out acts of violence against civilians, and welcomes the EU’s decision to impose sanctions against a number of settlers. The Government is continuing to pursue the proposal for sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers who actively oppose a two-state solution. The Government is also continuing to call for decisions on additional sanctions against extremist settlers. The two-state solution must be safeguarded.

Support for peace initiatives between Israel and Palestine that lead to a two-state solution

Lasting peace between Israel and Palestine must be based on a two-state solution. Sweden supports the EU’s work, engagement and initiatives to establish a credible process for a negotiated two-state solution in collaboration with regional actors and the UN. Joint diplomatic efforts are important to counter additional escalation and ripple effects in the region. This includes stopping recurring cycles of violence, addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and helping to improve the level of trust between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Swedish Government supports the efforts to reform and strengthen the Palestinian Authority. The Government has made it clear that Hamas must disarm, and that there is no place for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. The Government wants to see a united Gaza and West Bank under the leadership of a reformed Palestinian Authority.

A negotiated two-state solution in accordance with international law, in which Israel and Palestine can coexist side by side, is and remains the only sustainable path towards peace and security.