For sake of children across Middle East, diplomacy must result in a sustainable cease-fire, says head of Norwegian Refugee Council
Israel's war in Gaza utterly disregards international humanitarian law, the head of a Norwegian non-governmental organization said Tuesday.
“We cannot wait another day for an end to this senseless violence. For the sake of children across the entire region, diplomacy must result in a sustainable ceasefire,” Norwegian Refugee Council's Secretary General Jan Egeland said in a statement after visiting Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
“The suffering of millions cannot begin to end until those in power push for peace and take action to end the violence,” he added.
Egeland emphasized that Gaza has been reduced to rubble, while “Western leaders have largely stood by unwilling to apply the necessary pressure on the stronger party, Israel.”
Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by the Palestinian group Hamas.
More than 43,600 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 102,900 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
About Lebanon, where intense Israeli bombing destroyed a vast number of civilian houses, Egeland said: “People are ill-prepared for what promises to be the coldest winter season for the hundreds of thousands displaced.”
Israel has launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel's brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Israel expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.
“There must be robust international support to meet people forced to flee, and there must be a genuine, re-energised diplomatic effort from all sides, to halt violence against civilians,” said the Norwegian Refugee Council's secretary general.
