Gaza ceasefire 'does nothing to tackle root causes of conflict,' says Christian Aid

Amal Syam, Director of the Women's Affairs Centre

The international development agency Christian Aid has welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but warns "a sustainable peace is not possible until the illegal occupation of Gaza, and the West Bank - including East Jerusalem - is ended and Palestinians and Israelis are treated as equals."

Christian Aid's local partners are providing psychological support, medical relief and community-led initiatives such as food, shelter, sanitation and cash. They have also helped Palestinians from Gaza who were receiving medical care or working in the West Bank and have been denied entry back. They have reached over 800,000 people.

William Bell, Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy at Christian Aid said: "This ceasefire is welcome, even if it comes too late for the many thousands of Palestinian civilians who have died since October 2023.

"At long last it offers people in Gaza respite from the relentless bombardment, displacement and deprivation they have endured for the last 15 months. It also means the welcome release of hostages and respite for their families after long months of torment.

"However, a ceasefire by itself does nothing to address the root causes of the conflict. A sustainable peace is not possible until the illegal occupation of Gaza, and the West Bank - including East Jerusalem - is ended and Palestinians and Israelis are treated as equals. World leaders need to immediately support a locally led reconstruction plan for Gaza to provide hope for the future.

"Hope for the future will only come with accountability for the past. The past year has seen a blatant disregard of international law, which is a danger to civilians everywhere. Christian Aid urges governments around the world to support due international process in the ICC and ICJ, to hold to account all violations of international law, towards both Palestinians and Israelis.

"We further believe that while both Palestinians and Israelis have the right to self-determination, Palestinians are being systematically and brutally denied that opportunity by the actions of the Israeli state. This must now be addressed."

Christian Aid's partners in Gaza are gearing up to expand the distribution of vital supplies once the ceasefire takes effect. Many Palestinians have been surviving in dire winter conditions, forced to move several times while facing near starvation and acute shortages.

One of Christian Aid's partners, Amal Syam, Director of the Women's Affairs Centre (WAC), added: "A ceasefire means the killing machine targeting Palestinians in Gaza will finally stop.

"It brings a mix of joy and sorrow. On one hand, it allows us to reunite with family, loved ones, and friends. On the other, it forces us to confront the painful absence of those we have lost, and the haunting reality of people still trapped beneath the rubble.

"We will find ourselves standing amidst a world where homes, streets, schools everything we once knew no longer exist.

"A ceasefire marks the beginning of a struggle to secure life's necessities once again and find ways to access them. It means returning to damaged offices, resuming our work, and continuing to help those in need despite the challenges.

"Though the military conflict may have ended, it signals the start of new battles especially for widows, wounded women, female heads of households, breadwinners, disabled women, and countless others who will face enormous risks.

"A ceasefire means witnessing firsthand the sheer scale of destruction, pain, suffering, and loss. Yet, despite it all, the most important thing is that the killing has stopped. We love life as much as we possibly can."