Two Years On from October 7th, the Violence Must Stop

Statement from Refugees International:

On the two-year mark of October 7, Refugees International calls for the immediate protection of civilians in Gaza, the safe release of all hostages, and a lasting cessation of violence. The United States proposal to end the conflict—accepted in principle by both sides—is a hopeful prospect. It must be paired with concrete, enforceable humanitarian guarantees to bring relief to the Palestinians of Gaza.

Over the past two years, more than two million Palestinians have faced a man-made famine, unceasing forced displacement, and gratuitous violence collectively amounting to genocide. They deserve immediate safety, protection, and support.

Hostage-taking is also a grave violation of international humanitarian law. We reiterate our longstanding calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining hostages. They must be reunited with their long-suffering loved ones. 

We also call for the immediate release of Palestinian civilians arbitrarily detained since October 7, as well as the activists still detained from the recent Sumud flotilla.

Negotiations Must Deliver Real Relief for Palestinians

Gaza City is now the center of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The city is sealed off by siege and military assault. Famine has been declared in the north, and conditions are still  deteriorating. Without urgent treatment for acute malnutrition–especially among children–tens of thousands could die. Hospitals are failing; doctors operate without anesthesia and count remaining syringes; families drink contaminated water. These conditions, created by Israel’s persistent obstruction of humanitarian relief, are core elements of Israel’s responsibility for genocide in Gaza.

Gaza also remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers. Israel’s prior assurances have failed with deadly consequences. At least 540 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. 

An effective humanitarian response requires the following:

• A genuine and enduring ceasefire, meaning an immediate end to airstrikes, shelling, and ground operations, monitored by neutral international actors. We support President Trump’s call on Israel to stop bombing Gaza. 
• Protection from forced displacement including a suspension of evacuation orders that push civilians into unsafe areas and an end to other coerced movements in line with international law.
• Unfettered entry and movement of humanitarian aid consisting of food baskets, therapeutic food (RUTF, F-75/F-100), mobile nutrition and pediatric teams, WASH repair and mobile water treatment centers, and distribution of hygiene kits, and immediate medical resupply to hospitals and field units. This must also entail an end to Israeli government support for armed gangs that are involved in the systematic looting of aid convoys.
• Guaranteed safe passage for humanitarian aid workers and medical personnel, including the removal of Israeli-imposed “no-go” zones blocking critical areas; a radical streamlining of willfully onerous bureaucratic impediments on humanitarian agencies; and a resumption of cooperation with UNRWA.

We hope fervently that the negotiations currently underway will yield a breakthrough. But humanitarian action should not be contingent on larger political negotiations. International humanitarian law is clear that humanitarian aid cannot be arbitrarily obstructed based on a warring party’s political or military objectives. People in Gaza need a massive influx of humanitarian relief and an end to the continuing Israeli offensive now. 

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.