A Caritas Jerusalem worker amongst what remains of her community in Northern Gaza photo credit Caritas Jerusalem
Caritas Australia and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) affirms its call for unimpeded humanitarian aid access, an end to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, and, in accord with the recent call for peace and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza made in the first Sunday blessing of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Caritas Australia and CRA also express grave concern over Israel’s recent approval of plans for private companies take control of aid distribution in Gaza. This development has been met with criticism from global leaders and humanitarian organisations, warning that this may militarise aid efforts in the region.
Over the last two months of near-total aid blockade, only 14 out of 63 recent aid missions were successfully completed without being withdrawn, denied, or impeded. International humanitarian law forbids the denial of aid as a tool of war, while also prohibiting the forced displacement of civilians. Despite this, up to 70 percent of Gaza is now under some form of displacement order.
Caritas Australia and CRA call for:
The international community to exert political and diplomatic pressure to ensure full respect for international humanitarian law
A lasting ceasefire and return of all hostages, those still alive and those who are dead
Adherence to international humanitarian and human rights laws, particularly the provision of unimpeded humanitarian access through impartial aid distribution mechanisms
The abandonment of plans to intensify offensive actions in Gaza, which would result in further harm to civilians
Kirsten Sayers, CEO of Caritas Australia, said; “What concerns us most is the grave level of human suffering in Gaza, with children bearing the brunt as they make up around half the population. The suffering of civilians is something that should deeply unsettle every member of our global family. Humanitarian blockades strike at the heart of human dignity and must not be an accepted feature of war.”
Anne Walker, National Executive Director of CRA, said, “The intensification of offensive actions in Gaza will lead to more tragedy, worsening of the humanitarian impact from which Palestinians are already suffering, with more deaths of Palestinian civilians and further loss of life among Israeli hostages. We call for the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid to bring an end to the terrible suffering.”
To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/gaza or call 1800 024 413 toll free.
Media contact: Tara Harvey 0484 002 021 tara.harvey@caritas.org.au or caritasmedia@caritas.org.au