"Gas exploration licences in Palestinian maritime areas" 20 October 2025

On 29 October 2023, the Israeli Ministry of Energy announced licences for natural gas exploration in maritime areas belonging to the State of Palestine[1]. These licences were granted to Dana Petroleum, Ratio Petroleum, ENI, BP, Azera Socar and NewMed Energy[2].

The licensed zones reportedly overlap with maritime areas declared by Palestine in 2019 under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Oslo Accords. Palestinian human rights organisations (Al-Haq, Al Mezan, PCHR, Adalah) have warned that these concessions may breach international humanitarian and customary law, including Article 55 of the Hague Regulations governing natural resources in occupied territories.

The exploitation of such resources by an occupying power constitutes a breach of international law, aggravates the conflict and sets a precedent for further de facto annexation. Paragraph 10 of the UN Economic and Social Council Resolution of 30 July 2025[3] reaffirms the ban on the economic exploitation of occupied territories such as the State of Palestine.

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission

The EU is aware of these gas explorations concessions and reiterates its strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean must be developed in accordance with international law, including the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The EU calls on Israel to ensure the impartial and effective investigation of alleged misconduct by the appropriate authorities in accordance with IHL.