This morning's reports of further intense fighting in and around Gaza city and reports of Israel's expansion of targets in the Gaza strip are major causes of concern, said Trócaire today.
After almost two years of siege, civilians inside Gaza are trapped, traumatised and terrified in an area half the size of county Wexford. They live in the world's largest prison with no means of escape.
People in Gaza desperately need a cease-fire today so that humanitarian agencies can move into and around Gaza to get aid to those who are suffering through a crisis the very existence of which Israel denies.
Both Israeli and Palestinian civilians need protection from indiscriminate attacks. Israel's military offensive and the homemade rockets fired by Hamas are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Trócaire Director Justin Kilcullen said "at least 537 people have been killed in Gaza in the last eleven days of attacks by Israel. 2,470 have been injured. Israel says it is defending itself from Palestinian aggression. But Israel is an occupying power controlling the lives of another people. In the last seven years 17 Israeli civilians have died in Israel from homemade rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Israel's response to this is massively disproportionate and a clear violation of international law."
"All violence is abhorrent - whether by Israel or Hamas," said Mr Killcullen, "all sides must ensure the protection of civilians. Trócaire partners are telling us horrific stories of men and women fleeing the rubble of their homes as their children lie dead within. Hospitals are turning away all but the most seriously injured, and are running out of basic medicines. Schools are being used as refugee camps to give shelter those whose homes have been destroyed."
There is no access to Gaza for medical workers and humanitarian personnel. Those already inside can barely move because of the intensity of the bombing.
"An immediate cease-fire is essential. But Israel must change their position on Hamas who won a legitimate election in 2006." said Mr. Kilcullen. "The current situation is leading only to further deepen the feelings of anger and contempt on both sides of the border."
Mr Kilcullen continued, "Ultimately until Israel lifts the siege on the ordinary people of Gaza and respect their human rights - to life with dignity - then we will remain trapped in this cycle of violence. Hamas too must play their part by ceasing rocket fire."
"Israel's siege is stoking the fire that Hamas will use to coax more young, oppressed and angry men to their ranks."
Ends.
Notes to the Editor:
Trócaire's has worked Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) since 2002 seeking a just and lasting peace and to eliminate the root causes of poverty.
Trócaire works with both Israelis and Palestinian organizations to fulfil its humanitarian mandate but has also developed a human rights programme which aims to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights in OPT/Israel and to promote a non-violent approach to building a just and lasting peace in the region.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Demonstrators hold up signs during a protest against Israel's Gaza offensive in Cairo January 6, 2009. Israel moved forces into a southern Gaza town on Tuesday and demanded Hamas be prevented ...
