Caritas Europa expresses its deepest concerns for the continued loss of innocent lives in the Holy Land and implores the European Union to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

More than six weeks since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the Caritas Confederation continues urging both parties to cease fire, protect people, guarantee humanitarian access, abide by international law, and release all the hostages.

Caritas Europa implores the European Union to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to preserve human life. The continued calls for a humanitarian pause by Members of the European Parliament and EU foreign ministers do not adequately address the urgency of the catastrophe unfolding. Caritas Europa also emphasises the imperative to respect international humanitarian law, including the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants.

The population of 2.3 million in Gaza, which has been under siege and deprived of water, food, medicine and fuel for almost a month, should receive all the assistance they need.

The European Union must insist that all crossings into Gaza be reopened to enable unimpeded humanitarian access and reinforce the EU’s humanitarian assistance to the region.

The situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating rapidly, with increasing threats to civilian lives and employment, arbitrary detention and restrictions on free movement.

Caritas Europa also insists that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and services that are essential to the civilian population’s survival must be immediately restored, including unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance.

The humanitarian and human rights consequences of this violence will be devastating, complex and long-lasting in the Middle East region at large. This conflict must stop immediately. Now is the time for reconciliation and peace