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Immediate, Formal Cease Fire called for in Gaza by International NGO's
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(AIDA) are alarmed at the escalation of violence and destruction involving the civilian
population in the Gaza Strip and we welcome efforts being made by the members of
Quartet (the United States, the European Union, Russia and United Nations) and the Arab
League to broker an immediate, formal cease fire from all parties.
This call is even more urgently needed after the recent attack on students at the Jewish religious school in Jerusalem that claimed the lives of 8 students including 3 children.
Lasting from 27 February to 2 March, the Israeli military operation in Gaza resulted in
the deaths of over 107 Palestinians, at least half of whom were civilians - including more
than 27 children. Many more Palestinian civilians have been critically wounded, and the
death toll is steadily rising. Palestinian armed groups have fired rockets into Israel,
leading to the death of one civilian and the injury of 25.
We condemn all attacks that target civilians, including both attacks by Palestinian
militants and Israeli military actions. We remind all parties that under international
humanitarian law they are responsible and accountable for protecting civilian populations
and infrastructure.
The latest military operation has exacerbated the impact of the Israeli blockade of Gaza,
pushing an already vulnerable population to the brink. Key infrastructures, including
public health facilities and the water and sanitation network, are now at a breaking point.
The latest violence and destruction coupled with the on-going impoverishment and
isolation of Gaza's people, 56 percent of whom are children, and increased restrictions
placed on humanitarian actors, does nothing to establish conditions necessary for peace.
It also places our work and the work of our partners in jeopardy.
The undersigned members of AIDA therefore urge the Quartet and the Arab League to:
• Abide by their responsibility under international humanitarian law to protect
civilians and to broker an immediate, formal cease fire.
• Assure humanitarian movement and access in and out of Gaza.
• Push Israel to widen its definition of what constitutes essential humanitarian
assistance to include: items essential for the maintenance and rehabilitation of
public service infrastructure; access for treatment abroad for patients requiring
urgent medical care and allowing parents to accompany children under the age of
18; and the immediate resumption of normal fuel imports and electricity.
• Urge all parties to work toward the reopening of the Gaza crossings in accordance
with the Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) brokered by the US and
EU in November 2005.
Campaign for the Children of Palestine (CCP)
GVC - Gruppo di Volontariato Civile
Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS)
Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP-UK)
medico international
Mennonite Central Committee
Norwegian Church Aid
Oxfam International
Palestine Solidarity Association of Sweden
Save the Children-UK
Solidarite Socialiste Belgium
Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR)
Swedish Cooperative Center
Terre des hommes Italia
War Child Holland
World Vision Jerusalem
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
