Gaza interim ceasefire agreement – Bond statement
In reaction to news reports that an interim ceasefire has been agreed in Gaza, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:
We welcome the news of a pause in hostilities in Gaza after 15 months of devasting conflict. While long overdue, this breakthrough, alongside the planned release of the remaining hostages, will bring relief to millions across Gaza, Israel, and the world.
This interim ceasefire must allow the 1.9 million displaced Gazans to begin rebuilding their lives and create momentum towards a lasting ceasefire which ensures the return of all the hostages, paving the way for a two-state solution and lasting peace in the region. Rebuilding Gaza should be a collaborative international effort, led by Palestinian civil society, to ensure reconstruction is effective, equitable, and sustainable.
The international community must urgently secure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and scale up much-needed assistance. It is also critical to hold those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law accountable on all sides.
ENDS.
Notes for editors
- Many of Bond’s member organisations are actively working in the region providing humanitarian assistance to civilians.
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07392972411.
