Trócaire shows “cautious optimism” for Gaza ceasefire

Trócaire has welcomed the news of the first phase of a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

“As we await word from the Israeli Cabinet on acceptance of this deal, we are cautiously optimistic about the promise of the re-entry of international humanitarian aid, after 2 years of relentless bombardment, blockade, and starvation of the Palestinian people,” they said.

“The humanitarian crisis remains catastrophic and demands urgent, coordinated action as the true extent of the genocide in Gaza becomes clearer. We know that there have been at least 67,194 fatalities, with many more thought to have been buried under the rubble, and 168,890 injuries, including over 3,000 children who have lost one or more limbs.? “This first phase and the opening of a humanitarian corridor is desperately needed, but it comes after 24 months of systematic destruction, and the deliberate denial of food, water, and medical aid to over two million people,” said Chris McElhinney, Head of Humanitarian Programmes at Trócaire.

“We must now prioritise one thing above all else, getting aid in to save lives. People are starving, and children are dying. Every delay is a death sentence.”

“A temporary pause in attacks and a trickle of humanitarian aid into Gaza is simply not enough. There must be a full cessation of all hostilities and a complete lifting of the blockade with full, unhindered access of humanitarian aid and restoration of essential services. Gaza is in Famine. Gazans have not only faced the attempt to erase their existence through constant military assault, but they have also faced extreme food deprivation, leading to starvation, destitution, critically high levels of acute malnutrition, and significant death rates. 13 Palestinians are reported to have starved to death in a single day, over 450 lives lost to preventable hunger since October 2023 .”

Trócaire is continuing to call for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a just and lasting peace.

“Any ceasefire deal must be a roadmap to ending Israel’s unlawful occupation, apartheid and genocide. The genocide in Gaza must not be allowed to fade from international focus,” it said.

Gaza has not been safe for anyone. Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,722 health and aid workers and over 200 journalists since October 2023. Trócaire partners on the ground in Gaza have persevered under the most difficult circumstances to continue to provide Aid to the people of Gaza, but this has become increasingly more difficult as Israel has ordered many evacuations of facilities, destroying health care distribution sites and targeting colleagues and the little aid being let into the region.

“Any ceasefire must guarantee complete, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access across the Gaza Strip. Aid must include so-called ‘dual-use’ items essential for survival, such as food, fuel, shelter materials, medical equipment, and clean water systems.?? No ceasefire is meaningful unless it enables urgent and widespread humanitarian relief,” McElhinney said. “The international community must insist that aid moves freely and without restriction. Every hour counts.”