Refugees International on Ceasefire: Humanitarian aid is a right under international law, not a bargaining tool.

Statement from Refugees International

Yesterday, Israel and Hamas announced a temporary ceasefire and a pathway for the exchange of hostages in return for a surge in humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and fuel, along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the return of internally displaced Palestinians to their homes. 

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas offers a reprieve from the relentless and indiscriminate Israeli military assaults that have devastated Palestinian civilians for the last 15 months, and an end to the terrifying ordeal for the hostages and their families. The Israeli military has killed an estimated 47,000 Palestinians to date, with potentially tens of thousands more deaths that have not yet been recorded. Thousands more are missing and injured. The initial six-week pause outlined in the agreement must evolve into a permanent ceasefire–one that provides the necessary space for sustained recovery, long-term solutions to the root causes of this crisis, and adherence to international law by both Israel and Hamas.

The scale of the assault on and destruction of Gaza’s civilian population and infrastructure is unprecedented. The systematic targeting of essential infrastructure and restrictions on critical humanitarian supplies have unleashed famine, disease, and untold suffering. All warring parties must commit to the immediate and unconditional protection of civilians, an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure, and unimpeded humanitarian access. 

The deal, while a start, does not go far enough in outlining the explicit protections Israel and Hamas are obligated to provide Palestinian civilians. We are particularly concerned that the agreement ties the delivery of humanitarian aid and civilian protections—which are obligations under international law—to both sides’ compliance with prisoner exchanges. Every ceasefire attempt between Israel and Hamas has ended in violations, and this should not be permitted to again imperil humanitarian action. 

Humanitarian aid is a right under international law, not a bargaining tool. Humanitarian access must be ensured under any scenario, and the Israeli government must allow unimpeded humanitarian aid and access into all parts of Gaza, through all functional border crossings. Israel’s well-documented practice of restricting critical aid must be reversed, and the international community must hold Israel accountable and ensure the unconditional, uninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza.

Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. Their withdrawal from populated areas, while necessary, is not sufficient to address the plight of hundreds of thousands who cannot return to homes in northern Gaza and other areas systematically depopulated by Israeli military operations. Refugees International calls on Israel to guarantee the freedom of movement for all Palestinians, including access to areas it has unilaterally designated as “military zones.” They must also release Palestinian doctors and aid providers taken and forcibly disappeared after being captured during Israel’s sieges of Gaza’s major hospitals and clinics.

This is a hopeful moment in a conflict that has seen few of them. But it is a midpoint, not an endpoint. All international partners must deploy all tools of diplomatic leverage to hold the warring parties accountable for fulfilling these terms and producing a definitive end to this horrific war.

 

Brent Edinburgh to London bike riders help raise more than £50,000 for Palestinian children

The  Big Ride bikers completed their Edinburgh to London fundraising ride for the Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) this afternoon at Archbishop's Park, Lambeth. They had cycled 435 miles in 9 days.

Among the more than 200 riders were Kam Datta and Alberto Zerda from Brent.  Kam raised more than £1000 and  Red Spokes, the organisers, hope that the total will reach £60,000.

You can still donate at:

https://www.justgiving.com/project/1977747

This is the statement about the project on the Just Giving website:

What is the problem the project is addressing?

Children in Gaza live with the constant threat of Israeli military assault and the ongoing blockade of basic necessities and medical care. There is widespread poverty and a closed environment where people and goods cannot travel freely. The UN estimates that 400,000 children in Gaza are showing signs of severe psychological distress including bed-wetting, nightmares, aggression, phobias, extreme withdrawal or anxiety and difficulty eating, sleeping or speaking.

How will this project solve the problem?

The situation for children in Gaza is an emergency. MECA will use your donations to provide emergency aid to families in Gaza and deliver medicine and medical supplies to hospitals. MECA will support community-based organisations that run creative writing programs, sports teams, art and music classes; to build playgrounds and much more. Meanwhile, The Big Ride is working to raise awareness in the UK about the situation for children in Gaza.

What is the potential long-term impact of this project?

This project will reduce the children's risk of disease and malnutrition by addressing basic needs for food, medical care and adequate shelter that could impact their development and long-term health. By involving children in creative community activities, the project will also protect children's long-term mental health, making them more resilient against the risks of severe anxiety, depression, aggression and withdrawal.

Congratulations to Kam and Alberto and all the other participants who ranged in age from 14 to 80.

Lucas calls for redoubling of Syrian aid efforts following Commons vote

Following Thursday’s parliamentary vote against military intervention in Syria, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion is calling for a redoubling of humanitarian support to the region.

Caroline Lucas said:

“Whatever the political significance of (Thursday’s) vote, it’s vital that the focus urgently shifts now to humanitarian support for the victims of the conflict.

“There are millions of people who have lost their homes, or are in urgent need of medical care.
“We are hearing from development agencies, including Oxfam, that the situation facing refugees, in Syria and the wider region, is appalling. More than eight million people are now in desperate need of supplies.

“As a matter of urgency we should be increasing aid to Syria’s neighbours to help them support the families forced to seek refuge.

 “A huge amount of political energy has been focused on getting ready for a military strike.  If even just a fraction of those resources could be directed towards this humanitarian crisis, we could do much to reduce further suffering and loss of life."

Lucas also called for the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

“Crimes against humanity and international law have been committed.  Once there is evidence of responsibility for these appalling attacks, those responsible must be dealt with by the International Criminal Court.”