European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib Addresses UN Event on Children in Gaza and the West Bank

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib delivered a speech in New York on 23 September 2026 during the high-level Call to Action for the Children of Gaza and the West Bank event, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly. Lahbib focused on the severe plight of children living amid conflict in the Palestinian territories, drawing attention to the stark contrast between ordinary childhood and the harsh realities faced by young people in Gaza and the West Bank. Her address emphasized the critical need for immediate aid, safety, and basic humanitarian protections for minors affected by the crisis.

The ongoing crisis has created acute humanitarian needs, disproportionately affecting children through displacement, food insecurity, disrupted education, and restricted access to medical care. High-level international gatherings like the event in New York aim to secure tangible political commitments and coordinate international emergency relief efforts. For donor nations and humanitarian partners, focused appeals on children highlight urgent priorities in emergency assistance, healthcare infrastructure, and child protection services.

The European Commission manages the distribution of EU emergency humanitarian funding, which operates under international humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality. In Brussels terminology, humanitarian assistance is kept separate from political negotiation or bilateral development aid to ensure relief reaches non-combatants regardless of political circumstances. Through the commissioner's appearance in New York, the EU aligned its diplomatic profile with UN-led multilateral efforts, advocating for unhindered humanitarian access and compliance with international law.

The European Commission will continue to monitor humanitarian delivery routes and work with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to deliver aid to affected populations. Further discussions on aid funding levels, access corridors, and joint international monitoring of civil protection standards will proceed through both UN channels and upcoming EU council discussions on regional stability.