Christian Aid Calls for Gaza Ceasefire

Tuesday July 15 2014

Christian Aid has called for an immediate end to the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The latest round of hostilitieis has seen Israel launch air strikes on Gaza and Palestinian militants launching rockets into Israel. The Palestinian authorities say nearly 200 people have been killed, and the UN estimates that more than three-quarters of those were civilians. At least four Israelis have been seriously injured in the rocket strikes.

Christian Aid said the violence was 'compounding an already dire humanitarian situation caused by the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip', with destruction of agricultural land and homes and the health system close to collapse.

Janet Symes, the charity's Head of Middle East, said: "An immediate ceasefire is critical to stop innocent civilians paying the ultimate price.

"Access to adequate healthcare, fuel and food is under serious threat; this destruction needs to end so that people can get the help they so desperately need.

"It is due to the failure of peace talks and lack of genuine effort to find a viable solution to the conflict that we are witnessing yet more innocent civilian casualties.

"If the international community does not act with urgency to both stop the situation escalating and pursue an inclusive and comprehensive peace, then they will be condemning yet more innocent people to despair.

"Christian Aid implores all Israelis and Palestinians to take urgent steps in order to avoid more civilian deaths and suffering, and find a long-term solution to end the conflict."

At the time of writing, an Egyptian ceasefire proposal had been accepted by Israel but not by Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Full Christian Aid statement

Post Tags: gaza

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