The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) welcomes news of a temporary truce in the ongoing war on Gaza, Palestine, the release of hostages and the increase in entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Nonetheless, a temporary truce will not prevent further death and destruction. The 46 day long Israeli onslaught on Gaza has already killed at least 16,000 Palestinians, including over 6,500 children, and caused nearly 34,000 injuries.
A temporary truce will also not prevent a repeat of the litany of alleged war crimes committed by Israel thus far, or address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding on the ground. As of now, a population of 2.2 million Palestinians, half of whom are children, remain under total siege – one that has cut off access to food, water, electricity, fuel, medical care and other emergency services – and up to 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza have been forcedly displaced and/or made homeless.
The healthcare system in Gaza has been disabled; only 9 out of 33 hospitals are somewhat operational, and any remaining medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties. In addition, starvation and chronic dehydration is on the rise; makeshift camps and shelters for displaced Palestinians are dangerously overcrowded, lack sanitation and are vulnerable to outbreaks of disease.
There is no military solution to a political problem. A permanent humanitarian ceasefire remains a vital first step in achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. The international community must utilise this window of opportunity to secure a permanent cessation of hostilities, an end to the siege and the restoration of full and continuous flow of humanitarian aid into all parts of the Gaza Strip as a matter of priority. Only then can the painstaking process of rebuilding lives and infrastructure across Gaza, Palestine begin, and an end to the occupation of Palestine and freedom for all Palestinians be achieved.
[ENDS]
Feature image: Israeli airstrike, Gaza, Palestine - 7th October 2023 (Motaz Azaizah)