“While it’s still unclear exactly what this 60-day pause in the fighting would include, it will undoubtedly be welcome news to Gaza’s children, who have, for the last 634 days been subjected to relentless bombardment, forced displacement, and deliberate starvation,” he said.
“We welcome efforts to stop the violence in Gaza, but a deal that simply pauses the suffering for 60 days only for it to resume on day 61 is not a solution — it’s a delay. Hostages must be released, the bombs must stop falling, and starvation must not be used as a weapon of war.
“Since this war began, more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed. Among them, at least 549 have been killed in just the last five weeks while trying to access much needed food for their families from the US and Israeli Government-backed, military-controlled aid distribution sites run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
“The international community must demand the warring parties agree to a definitive ceasefire, and insist that Israel allow the existing UN-led humanitarian response to resume delivery of aid in Gaza. The current alternative is unconscionable, leaving Palestinians with a cruel choice: starve, or risking being shot whilst seeking food.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: 0437825143 or media.team@savethechildren.org.au.