29 November 2023
MAPW welcomes the current pause in the bombardment of Gaza and the passage of some critically needed food, water and medical and other supplies into the stricken enclave. We welcome the release of Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons, and the release of women and children who were held as hostages by Hamas.
The terrible toll being paid by children on both sides of this war cannot be justified in any way. No military strategy can justify the scale of children’s deaths, or their terrorising, whether by forced separation from family, fear of imminent death, incessant aerial warfare, starvation, the deprivation of healthcare or incarceration in prisons as punishment for throwing stones.
The current fragile pause in this catastrophic war must be extended, indefinitely. The warring parties have demonstrated that a cessation is possible. The aid being delivered each day during the ceasefire is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed, and it is imperative that the delivery of essential supplies matches that needed by a population that has endured unprecedented levels of destruction for over seven weeks.
MAPW gives strong support to the message today of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He calls for “a long-term humanitarian ceasefire, unrestricted access for life-saving aid, the release of all hostages, the protection of civilians and an end to violations of international humanitarian law”. Guterres also called in his message for an end to the occupation and the blockade of Gaza.
These measures would boost security for both Palestinian and Israeli people, because peace can only be built on justice. There is no other route to security for the millions of Israelis and Palestinians who currently live in fear of the other.
Once again, MAPW calls on the Australian government to demonstrate equal concern for all civilians suffering as a result of this war, condemn all war crimes that have been committed regardless of who committed them, and call explicitly for a lasting ceasefire by both sides in this war.