Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to Prevent a Humanitarian Catastrophe and Further Loss of Innocent Lives

Children are always the first to suffer in any conflict – the stories coming out of Israel and the oPt is the stuff of nightmares. Children are paying the highest price for a conflict they have no part in. Help us meet the needs of children.

We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly. 

In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.  

The events of the last week have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility. 

On Sunday, October 15th, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to the Occupied Palestinian Territory appealed to all parties to the conflict, and to Member States with influence, to urgently agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.

Today, we put our voices together and call on all Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:

1. Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff  

2. Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly

3. Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times

4. Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza

5. Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care

The UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence must take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. It remains our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe. Anything less will forever be a stain on our collective conscience.

Civilians are not bargaining chips. Families need a chance to bury and mourn their dead. The cycle of violence against innocent civilians needs to stop.

Signatories

11.11.11

38 Degrees

50:50 NI

ABCD Bethlehem

Abductees Mothers Association

Academic Foundation for Peace-Conflict Studies

ACAT France

Access Now

ACT Church of Sweden

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Action Corps

Action For Humanity

ActionAid International

Africa4Palestine

Africans Rising

Afro-Middle East Centre

Agaji Global Unity Foundation, Nigeria

Agriculture Developmrnt Associations PARC

AIDOS - Associazione Italiana Donne per lo Sviluppo ETS

Ajyal Foundation for Education

Al Basma Club for the Disabled

Al-Nidal Association for Human Rights

Alfaf for development and reconstruction

Alliance Internationale -AIDL

Alquds center for Political Studies

American Friends Service Committee

Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action)

Americares

Amis de Sabeel France

Amos Trust

Anera

Another Europe is Possible

AOI

Arab Foundation for Civil Society and Human Rights

Arab NGO Network for Development

Armadilla Scs

ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth

Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz

Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE)-Philippines

Asociación de Familiares de Presos y Desaparecidos Saharauis (Asociacón de Familiares de Presos y Desaparecidos Saharauis (AFAPREDESA)

Asociación Otra Escuela

Association for Rengein Tanjoji International Cooperation

Association Ifriqiya

Association of War Affected Women

ASSOPACEPALESTINA

Avaaz

Baptist Union of Wales

Basmeh & Zeitooneh for Relief and Development

Baytna

BELaady Organization for Human Rights

Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine

bina

Bond, the UK network for INGOs

Broederlijk Delen

Bytes For All, Pakistan

Caesar Families Association

CAFOD

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)

CARAS

Care International

Carolina Peace Center

CCFD-Terre Solidaire

Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

Center for Human Rights in Iran

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College

Central Asian Network on Statelessness

Centre for human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)

Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA

CESVI

cfd - The feminist Peace Organisation

Change Horizons Forum

Charity & Security Network

Child Rights International Network (CRIN)

ChildFund Alliance

Christian Aid Ireland

Christian Aid UK

Church and Peace -  Ecumenical peace church network in Europe

Church World Service

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

CIDSE

CISP

CISS - COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE SUD SUD

City of Sanctuary Sheffield

CIVICUS

Civil Rights Program Kosovo

Climate Refugees

CNCD-11.11.11

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific

Coexist Community kitchen CIC

Committee of the Families of the Kidnapped and Disappeared in Lebanon (CFKDL)

Committee to Protect Journalists

Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights

COPE Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti

Cordaid

COSPE

Cotidiana Mujer AFM

Council for Arab-British Understanding

Council on American-Islamic Relations

Counterpoints Arts

CRIC - Centro Regionale d'Intervento per la Cooperazione ETS

Cultura è libertà, una campagna per la Palestina

Culturel Center Beethoven Bettounssi

Cyprus Refugee Council

DanChurchAid

Danish Refugee Council

Daraj Media

Dawlaty

DC Peace Team

Dedar organization

Défense des Enfants International - Belgique

Defense Foundation for Rights and Freedom

Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights

Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

Democracy School

Denis Hurley Peace Institute

Deutsch-Palsätinensiche Gesellschaft (DPG) e.V.

Diakonia

Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality

Dóchas

docP - BDS Netherlands

Economistas sin Fronteras

EducAid

Educo Member of ChildFund Alliance

EL SPACE

Embrace the Middle East

empowervan

English for Action (EFA) London

Entraide & Fraternité

Episcopal Relief & Development

Equal Legal Aid

Escola de Cultura de Pau (School for a Culture of Peace)

Eşit Haklar İçin İzleme Derneği

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

European Alternatives

European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (ECR2P)

European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine - ECCP

European Network on Statelessness

Farmers and Herders Initiative for peace and development Fhipd

Fédération Internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)

Feminist Task Force

Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid

Fields of Peace

Foro Ciudadano Relaciones Celac-UE

Forum Civil Peace Service (forumZFD)

ForumCiv

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

France Palestine Mental Health Network

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Friends of Nablus and Surrounding areas (FONSA)

Fundación Cultura de Paz

Fundación ISCOD - Sindicalistas sin fronteras

FUNDACIÓN MUNDUBAT

Futuro en Común

Gandhi Development Trust Phoenix Settlement Trust

Gender Action for Peace and Security

Gender Advisory Team

Gender Studies and Information Organization ~GSIO

Genera: Red de mujeres feministas por la equidad de género en el desarrollo

Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

Global Communities

Global Health Italian Network

Global Justice Center

Global Justice Now

Global Link

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space

Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)

Global Rights

Global Witness

GPPAC Pacific-Pacific Women Mediators Network

Graduate Women International

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)

Greek Forum of Migrants

Haliéus

Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights

Health Justice Initiative (HJI) South Africa

Health Poverty Action

HEKS/EPER – Swiss Church Aid

Helen Suzman Foundation

HelpAge Interational

HIAS

Hope and Homes for Children

Human Life Foundation for Development and Relief

Human Rights & Democracy Media Center ‎‏“‏SHAMS‏"‏

Human Rights Sentinel

Humance Heal For Human Rights

Humans for Rights Network

Husna Foundation

ICAHD Finland

ICERAS

ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ)

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation

IM Swedish Development Partner

In Place of War

Ina autra senda - Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace

INGO ALG CONSULTING GROUP

Innovation for Change - Middle East and North Africa

Innovation for Change South Asia

Institute for Policy Studies - New Internationalism Project

Institute for Security Studies

Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion

International Federation for Human Rights

International Federation for Rights and Development

International Press Institute

International Rescue Committee

INTERSOS

IPMHN Ireland Palestine Mental Health Network

Iraqi Alamal Association

Iraqi Women Network

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Islamic Center of Boca Raton

Islamic Center of Detroit

Islamic Center of Yorba Linda

Islamic Relief

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK- UK

Israelisches Komitee gegen Hauszerstörungen (ICAHD) Germany

Itar for Social Development

Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines

Japan international Volunteer Center(JVC)

Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC)

Jewish Network for Palestine

Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestine jvjp, Switzerland

Jewish Voice for Labour

Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque

Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council

Jews against the Occupation Sydney

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

Jusoor Center for Studies and Development

Kairos Palestine

Kairos Palestine - Sweden

Kairos Sabeel Netherlands

Kenya Human Rights Commission

Khulumani Support Group (supporting victims and survivors of gross human rights violations)

Kırkayak Kültür

KnK Japan

KURVE Wustrow - Centre for Training and Networking in Nonviolent Action e.V.

La Coordinadora de ONGD -España

Law Center of Advocates

Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy

Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights

Lebanese Union for persons with physical disability/Arab forum for the rights of persons with disabilities

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)

Liberian Energy Network

Libya Crimes Watch (LCW)

Libyan Anti-Torture Network

Ligue Algérienne de Défense des Droits de l'Homme - LADDH

Lutheran World Federation

MADRE

Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY Malaysia)

Marib Girls Foundation

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Medact

Médecins du Monde Belgique

Médecins du Monde International Network

Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

MedGlobal

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

medico international germany

medico international schweiz

Medicus Mundi Italia

Mehad

MENA Statelessness Network (Hawiati)

Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

Mercy Corps

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development

Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Preventing of Armed Conflict - MENAPPAC

Middle East Children's Alliance

Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND)

Migrant Roots Media

Min Haqi Foundation to empower women politically and economically

Misereor

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre (Australian Province)

Mouvement Social

Musaala Organisation for Human Rights

Muslim Aid

Muslim Delegates and Allies

Muslim Legal Fund of America

Mwatana for Human Rights

Naseef Muallem

National Cancer Control Foundatin - Yemen

Nationality For All

Nederlands Palestina Komitee

Network for Children's Rights

Network of the independent Commission for Human rights in North Africa

NGO SPES

NGOs Platform of Saida - Tajamoh

Nobel Women’s Initiative

Nonviolence Network in the Arab Countries

Nonviolent Peaceforce

Nophotozone

North American Imams Fellow

North West Migrants Forum

Northern Friends Peace Board

Norwegian Church Aid

Norwegian Refugee Council

Ofogh NGO

OMCT Tunisia

Outright International

Oxfam

Palestinian Human Rights Organisation "PHRO"

PARCIC

PASS Foundation - Peace for Sustainable Societies

PAX

Pax Christi Australia

Pax Christi Flanders

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi Pilipinas

Pax Christi USA

Peace & Justice (Scotland)

Peace and freedom ORG.( PFO)

Peace Boat

Peace Committee, 15th St. Friends Meeting, NYC

Peace Direct

Peace Organization for Peaceful Coexistence

Peace Watch Switzerland

Peace Winds Japan

Peacemaker Trust

Permanent Peace Movement

Physicians for Human Rights Israel

Piattaforma OSC italiane in Medio Oriente e Mediterraneo

Plan International

Plan International USA

Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine

PREMIERE URGENCE INTERNATIONALE

Première Urgence Internationale

Project on Middle East Democracy

Protection Approaches

Public Aid Organization

PVE for Peace

PVE Works

Quakers in Britain

Rainbow Refugees NI

REACT Disaster Response

Rebuilding Alliance

Reclaim The Sea

Red Dot Foundation Global

RefuAid

Refugee Support Group

Relief International

Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)

ReThinking Foreign Policy

Revista La Mar de Onuba

Right to Movement Palestine

Rights Realization Centre

Roma Active Albania

Romanian Peace Institute - PATRIR

Roshanka

Sabeel

Sabeel Kairos Norway

Sabeel-Kairos UK

Saferworld

Salam for Democracy and Human Rights

Salam For Yemen

SALAM NGO

SAM Organization for Rights and Libertie

Sanad alBasra Organization for Human Rights

Save the Children

SB Overseas Soutien Belge

Schengen Peace Foundation

Search for Common Ground

Secours Islamique France (SIF)

Secure Scotland

SEDRA-FEDERACIÓN PLANIFICACIÓN FAMILIAR

SEEN.TV

Seenaryo

Sheba Youth Foundation

Shining Star educational organization of Afghanistan

Shma Koleinu - Alternative Jewish Voices of NZ

Social Development Hodeida Girls Foundation

Solidaridad Internacional Andalucia

Solutions for a Small Planet

SOS Children's Villages International

SOS Children's Villages Netherlands

SOS Children's Villages Palestine

Statefree

Ster

Stichting Vluchteling

STOPAIDS

Strategic Dialogue Group

Study sky academy

SUDS - International association of solidarity and cooperation

Svalorna Latinamerika

Swiss Palestine Association

Syrian American Medical Society

Syrian Forum

Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).

Syrians for Truth and Justice

Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights

Tanzania Community Health Information and Support

Terre Des Hommes Foundation Lausanne

Terre des Hommes International Federation

Terre des Hommes Italia

The Center for Mind Body Medicine

The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

The Episcopal Church

The Foundation for Middle East Peace

The Khalifa Ihler Institute

The Mosque Cares | Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed

The Palestine Solidarity Association of Sweden (PGS)

The Palestinian Return Centre

The Pickwell Foundation

The Syria Campaign

The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)

The United Church of Canada

the3million

Tirana Legal Aid Society, TLAS

Together

Train of Hope Dortmund e.V.

Tripla Difesa O.N.L.U.S

TWANA Organisation for sustainable development-iraq

UK-Palestine Mental Health Network

UN Association of San Diego

UN Youth Association of Romania - Cluj Branch

United Against Inhumanity

United Nations Association - UK

University Network for Human Rights

UOSSM International

US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)

Vento di Terra

Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières North America

VIS

Viva Salud

Voicing the Void

VOLONTARI NEL MONDO RTM

Vrede vzw

War Child Canada

War Child Holland

War Child Sweden

War Child UK

War Childhood Museum

War on Want

We Effect

Welfare Association (UK)

WESPAC Foundation, Inc.

WeWorld - Member of ChildFund Alliance

WILPF Spain

Woman Rights Center in Samawah

Womankind Worldwide

Women and Gender Institute

Women for Peace

Women for Women International

Women in Black Vienna

Women Political Alliance - Kenya

Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)

Women’s Institute for Leadership Development

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom UK

Women's International Peace Centre

Women's Platform

Womens Refugee Commission

World Federalist Movement/ Institute for Global Policy

World Organisation Against Torture

World Student Christian Federation

Worldwide Women's Forum

Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

Yemen without Conflict Organization

Yoga and Sport with Refugees

Youth Against Irregular Migration

Youth Vision Society

Youths Volunteering for Sustainable Development (YOVSUD)

Zhian health organization

منظمة الدراسات و المعلومات الجندرية (Organization on Gender Studies and Information)

منظمة المسلة لتنمية الموارد البشرية (Al-Masala Organization for Human Resources Development)

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For further enquiries please contact:

Randa Ghazy - Randa.Ghazy@savethechildren.org