Today’s ceasefire: “People have suffered in Gaza for so long - they need lasting peace and urgent humanitarian access.”
Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s Regional Director for the Middle East, said:
“We welcome today’s ceasefire, but it must bring lasting peace and an immediate end to attacks for people in Gaza who’ve suffered for so long.
“The international community must put pressure on both sides to stick to the ceasefire agreement, allowing people to mourn their dead and start to rebuild their lives.
"Humanitarians urgently need safe and unhindered access to Gaza, especially the north, so that life-saving aid and supplies can reach the most vulnerable.”
Today’s ceasefire comes after 15 months of devastating conflict and the death of more than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza. More than 1.9 million people in Gaza have had to leave their homes and are facing the bitter, wet winter without adequate shelter or food.
Tearfund is working through its partners in Gaza, as well as the West Bank and Lebanon, to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid, medical support and education to help individuals and families recover and rediscover hope.
Safa Hijazeen said: “Today we hold the people of Gaza and the families of the hostages that will be released in our prayers, and we continue to pray and work for a peaceful future with a sustained, region-wide ceasefire which allows for lasting peace, healing, and the flourishing of communities.”
To donate to Tearfund’s Middle East Emergency Appeal, supporting humanitarian needs in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region, please visit: Tearfund.org/MiddleEast
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Notes to editors
- Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.