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Palestine & Israel

Gaza ceasefire welcome but it is 15 months and over 46,645 lives too late 

The announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza is very much welcomed, but the damage that has been done over the last 15 months is of a scale not witnessed in any other conflict in the 21st century, says Trócaire. 

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza.  (Photo by Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza. (Photo by Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

Trócaire’s CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, said: “Almost the entire population of Gaza are facing extreme hunger, and 345,000 people are estimated to be living in catastrophic famine conditions.

“With this ceasefire agreement announced, it is imperative that Israel allow complete and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to Gaza.  This includes so called ‘dual use’ items, which are critically important for the immediate rehabilitation of civilian infrastructure and utilities (electricity, water, shelter, sanitation) critical to save and protect lives.

“Freedom of movement is also vital, for those needing to leave Gaza for medical treatment, or be reunited with family members. As is the freedom of movement of humanitarian workers into and to all parts of Gaza, in particular UNRWA staff but also journalists, and those involved in international judicial investigations and accountability mechanisms.

“The levels of trauma are beyond human comprehension. It will take a massive escalation in immediate humanitarian response, and long-term investment to help Gazans rebuild.

“Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip has been in flagrant breach of International Humanitarian Law, and the near –complete destruction of civilian infrastructure and use of starvation as a method of warfare constitute war crimes as the ICC has confirmed by issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

“If the most vulnerable people in the world lose the protection of international law, we lose a part of our common humanity. This is why it remains very important that investigations to ensure that there is accountability for war crimes perpetrated during this conflict – by all parties – are pursued.

“The ICJ has ruled that Palestinians in Gaza have a right to be protected from the risk of acts of genocide. It has twice ordered Israel to cease attacks on civilians in Gaza and to allow unhindered humanitarian access. Hopefully, this ceasefire will see these orders finally being implemented.

“The international community must continue to ensure respect for international law and protection of civilians across the occupied Palestinian territory. The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated in parallel to the war in Gaza at a disastrous pace and the annexation of Palestinian land continues unabated. Restrictions on freedom of movement, settler violence, and the forcible displacement of entire communities have skyrocketed under the cover of war. The year 2024 has recorded the highest numbers of Palestinian forcibly displaced in nearly two decades.

“While this ceasefire is an important step towards ending the war on Gaza, peace and security will remain fragile and elusive for Palestinians and Israelis alike unless the international community, of which we are all a part, makes the ceasefire permanent and works to secure both a just and a lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.”

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