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As the crisis in Gaza worsens, we explain what you can do to help in Ireland
Palestinians cross a road flooded by water after it was damaged by a nearby airstrike carried out by Israeli colonial forces in Beit Lahiya, north Gaza, October 9, 2023. Israeli forces declared a complete siege on Gaza and launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing more than 500 Palestinians in an area home to 2.3 million people, most of whom are refugees with nowhere to flee. Photo: Mohammed Zaanoun/ Activestills.
Since October 7, more than 10,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza following weeks of airstrikes and bombardments by Israel which has caused widespread destruction of homes, schools and healthcare facilities.
The situation facing civilians in Gaza has been made even worse by a siege, which is depriving more than two million people – half of whom are children – of food, water and electricity.
Trócaire partner Al Haq, shares a testimony of an employee Mohammad Abu Rahma who survived the bombing of his home with his wife and three children in Gaza:
“Minutes after we left, the entire neighbourhood was bombed. My children are still in a state of panic and shock. What happened to us has happened to thousands of Palestinians in the past few days. Despite everything, I will continue my work in documenting ongoing violations and crimes, including the deliberate killing and destruction of civilian homes.”
As this worsening human tragedy is unfolding, the world cannot stand back and watch events without doing everything possible to avert further suffering.
Demand your elected representatives in Ireland speak out in solidarity to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid urgently gets into Gaza.
We need to say clearly that civilians should never be a target.
It is alarming that EU leaders are not calling more clearly for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access to Gaza. This is why we need all of our political parties in Ireland to call loudly and clearly on the EU to take greater action.
Trócaire has been working with our Palestinian and Israeli civil society partners in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel since 2002 and despite ongoing and cyclical intensification of violence in that period, never before have we witnessed the scale of suffering, displacement and acute humanitarian needs unfold as rapidly and at the scale that it has in the last week.
Trócaire, through our local partners on the ground in Palestine, are ready to provide humanitarian support to the people of Gaza and other areas affected by this crisis. This includes medical supplies, food, water, hygiene and medical supplies, blankets, shelter – everything we can – in order to rush help to injured and suffering civilians the instant we are allowed access.
But we need your help.
Actively seek out articles written by Palestinians and Israelis.
Trócaire stands in solidarity with our partners in Palestine and Israel at this awful time. You can follow them for more information on the situation on the ground.
1. Al Haq – An independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organisation
Twitter: @Alhaq_org | Website: https://www.alhaq.org/
2. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Twitter: @PCHRgaza | Website: https://www.pchrgaza.org/
3. Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Website: – https://www.gazamentalhealth.org/
4. Ofek – The Israeli Center for Public Affairs
Website: https://www.ofekcenter.org.il/eng/
5. Breaking the Silence – Breaking the Silence is an Israeli veterans’ organization aimed at raising awareness to the dire consequences of prolonged military occupation.
Twitter: @BtSIsrael | Website: https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/
6. BADIL – Resource Center for Palestinian Residency & Refugee Rights
Twitter: @BADIL_Center | Website: https://www.badil.org/
7. B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
Twitter: @btselem | Website: https://www.btselem.org/
This major escalation did not happen overnight. Follow our partners above to help you understand the context and the events that led to this point.
