Amnesty International, on Thursday, issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to prevent further civilian casualties and to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza’s residents amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, stated in a press release, “Over the past two and a half weeks, we have witnessed a horror that is beyond imagination… Over two million people in Gaza are struggling to survive amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and the level of civilian casualties is unparalleled… Grave violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, continue.”
She added, “There is an urgent need for action to protect civilians and prevent further levels of humanitarian suffering. We urge all members of the international community to come together to demand an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons by all parties to the conflict.”
She continued, “In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in Gaza, which is worsening day by day, an immediate ceasefire is vital… It will enable relief agencies to deliver enough relief supplies to the Gaza Strip, distribute them safely, and without conditions. This will give hospitals the chance to receive life-saving medicines, water, and much-needed equipment, as well as repairing damaged facilities.”
Amnesty International reiterated its call for “an end to unlawful attacks, including indiscriminate attacks, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and disproportionate attacks.” It called on Israel to immediately allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip without impediments and to lift its unlawful 16-year-long blockade on Gaza.
Furthermore, the organization urged Israel to release all arbitrarily detained Palestinians and address the root causes of the conflict, including by dismantling the Israeli apartheid system imposed on all Palestinians.
