Islamic Relief reaction to news of the end of the temporary pause in Gaza

After briefly pressing pause, it is outrageous that the killing and destruction is now just resuming as if nothing has changed.  

Before the truce, a child in Gaza was being killed almost every 10 minutes. It is unconscionable that the international community is now standing by and allowing this bloodshed to continue. More than 15,000 people have already been killed and now the lives of many thousands more innocent people are at imminent risk. 

The aid allowed into Gaza over the last few days has been woefully inadequate to address this humanitarian catastrophe. Now many civilians are at risk of dying from starvation and disease as well as the renewed bombing.

We’ve heard reports this morning that Israel is once again ordering people to leave parts of Khan Younis in the south, but there is nowhere safe for people to go. Civilians have been bombed if they stay and bombed if move. Telling people to move does not absolve Israel of its obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians who cannot or choose not to leave.

We yet again appeal to world leaders to demand a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s siege.