With Israeli bombings halted, the urgent task of recovery and ensuring accountability begins for mourners enduring unimaginable loss
Oxfam welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire, with the initial agreement on the release of Israeli hostages and some of the Palestinian detainees, and the temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of a relentless war. The Israeli bombing campaign has killed at least 46,000 Palestinians, has left tens of thousands more missing, over 100,000 injured and 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 90% of the population, displaced.
Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, said that this ceasefire must not only hold, but lead to a permanent end to the violence.
“We are hopeful this deal will herald an end to the bloodshed. After more than a year of a brutal military assault and deliberate, systematic blocking of aid by Israeli authorities, this pause is long overdue. Two million Palestinians, who have survived this heinous war, are now fighting against time to survive.
“As the first phase of the agreement unfolds, our most urgent call is for immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian aid and support, ensuring that vital resources and medical assistance can reach those in dire need. The opening of all crossings for aid deliveries is vital. Israel must allow the unhindered flow of aid and restore commercial activity to reach every corner of the besieged enclave to avert famine. This is critical to alleviating the suffering of displaced Palestinians and enabling the treatment of those hungry, injured and sick.
“Israel has waged terrible collective punishment upon Palestinians in Gaza including crimes against humanity – using food and water as weapons of war, forcibly displacing virtually the entire population, besieging North Gaza and rendering Gaza virtually unliveable. "Thousands of Palestinians have been unlawfully detained and tortured without due process. These actions must not go unanswered - international law and norms must be applied universally, including to Israel, who must be held to account for its war crimes, to ensure justice for victims and deter future violations”.
Abi Khalil called on UN Member States and the international community to ensure the swift and full implementation of the ceasefire; to uphold commitments to end the blockade on Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian Territory; to facilitate unrestricted humanitarian access to avert famine and to commit to supporting the rebuilding of Gaza immediately in an inclusive, equitable and sustainable manner centred on the needs and voices of Palestinians.
“This has been a terrible period of senseless death and destruction. The international community, especially countries complicit in Israeli atrocities, must do everything in their power to ensure there is no return to violence. They must commit to supporting a fair and inclusive peace with justice for all, which lifts the blockade, ends the unlawful occupation, dismantles illegal settlements, and addresses the root causes of this protracted conflict.”
Oxfam unequivocally condemns all violations of international law committed by Israel and Palestinian armed groups. As part of this temporary ceasefire deal, we reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.
For interviews, contact Lily Partland on 0418 118 687 / lilyp@oxfam.org.au