Caritas Australia and Catholic Religious Australia have reaffirmed their call for an end to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, in line with Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace and the provision of humanitarian aid.
Caritas Australia and CRA also expressed grave concern over Israel’s recent approval of plans for private companies to take control of aid distribution in Gaza. This development has been met with criticism from global leaders and humanitarian organisations, who warn that it may militarise aid efforts in the region.
Over the last two months, during which there has been a near-total aid blockade, only 14 out of 63 recent aid missions were successfully completed without being withdrawn, denied, or impeded.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 per cent 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
“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,” Caritas Australia’s CEO Kirsten Sayers said.
“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, CRA executive director, 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.
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Caritas Australia and Catholic Religious Australia call for an end to human suffering in Gaza (Caritas Australia and CRA)
