Oxfam calls for ceasefire and protection of civilians in Israel and Gaza
The appalling escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel leaves the people of Gaza in urgent need of humanitarian support. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes with nowhere to go. People have lost family and friends, homes and income. Oxfam warns that a total ground invasion of Gaza will lead to a humanitarian disaster.
"What my colleagues and family in Gaza say is: it has never been this bad... There is no water. No electricity. No fuel. Food is running out... The situation is really difficult."
Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam Policy Officer in Palestine and Israel, Ramallah.
The deadliest day in Israel's history has led to over 1,500 deaths in Israel and Gaza, with many more injured, in what has already been a deadly year in the West Bank and now Gaza. It comes in what has already been the deadliest year in the West Bank and now in Gaza. Oxfam has suspended all its humanitarian work and programs in Gaza due to the ongoing airstrikes and violence, but will resume water, food and sanitation work as soon as possible.
- Our colleagues are sending us frightening messages; they are taking shelter in their homes or fleeing with their extended families, some trying to find safety in hospitals already damaged by airstrikes. They are in the dark and pleading to know what is happening," said Oxfam International's Chief Executive Amitabh Behar:
- The world can see that Israel's evacuation order is both completely inhumane and impossible; the Israeli government must rescind it immediately. We ask the international community to use its utmost influence to intervene - hospitals are full of patients, women, children and elderly people who cannot move. It is incumbent on Israel to respect international humanitarian law; they must distinguish between military and civilian targets. We call on the Israeli government to immediately revoke this order and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"The world can see that Israel's evacuation order is both completely inhumane and impossible."
Amitabh Behar, Chief Executive of Oxfam International
The UN has reported that there are currently over 180,000 people displaced in Gaza; 135,000 of them are taking refuge in already crowded UN aid agency schools. Families are facing severe shortages of food, water and sanitation, and many are trapped in their homes, with nowhere to escape.
- Oxfam is appalled by the recent attacks. Violence never paves the way for peace. The international community must use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to ensure an immediate ceasefire," said Mustafa Tamaizeh, Oxfam's acting country director in Palestine and Israel:
"A ground invasion of Gaza would constitute collective punishment of a population that bears no responsibility for the violence, and violates international law. It will not contribute to peace and security, instead it will further fuel this crisis."
Mustafa Tamaizeh, Oxfam Acting Country Director in Palestine and Israel.
Oxfam in Palestine and Israel
Oxfam has worked in Palestine and Israel since the 1950s and established a country office in the 1980s. We work with the most vulnerable communities in Gaza, East Jerusalem and Area C, the 61% of the West Bank where the Israeli government has full military and civilian control.
In Gaza, Oxfam works with Palestinian women, men and youth to improve their livelihoods and increase their economic opportunities, combat gender-based violence and inequality, and ensure access to basic needs and fundamental rights through our humanitarian work.
Oxfam International's Chief Executive, Amitabh Behar, has signed an open letter with 11 other humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza: