The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued an urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, highlighting the dire situation that has persisted since the onset of Israeli attacks on October 7, 2023. This appeal comes in the wake of a new report from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which accuses Israeli authorities of committing war crimes and other serious violations of international law.
The WCC, based in Switzerland, condemned the ongoing violence and the severe restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a strongly worded statement, the WCC described the suffering in Gaza as a result of indiscriminate military actions by the Israeli army and a blatant disregard for international humanitarian principles. The statement emphasized the need for peace, dignity, and unrestricted access to aid for the people of Gaza, urging a meaningful political process to improve their lives.
“The war and suffering in the Gaza Strip are caused by the blind actions of the Israeli army and the lack of respect for basic humanitarian laws and ethics,” the WCC declared. It called for an immediate ceasefire, the delivery of sufficient aid, and the start of efforts to rebuild and restore the region.
UN Report on War Crimes
On the same day, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry released a report detailing the Israeli military's actions since October 7, 2023. The Commission found that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare, willful killing, attacks on civilians, forcible transfer, sexual violence, torture, and other inhumane treatments.
The Commission, led by Navi Pillay, highlighted that the Israeli military operations in Gaza involved the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas, resulting in massive civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The report also criticized the Israeli practice of issuing evacuation orders that were often insufficient and misleading, leading to further civilian harm.
Pillay emphasized the necessity of holding those responsible for these crimes accountable, stating, “Israel must immediately stop its military operations and attacks in Gaza, including the assault on Rafah, which has cost the lives of hundreds of civilians and again displaced hundreds of thousands of people to unsafe locations without basic services and humanitarian assistance.”
Humanitarian Crisis and Siege
The Commission's report underscored the devastating impact of the total siege imposed by Israel, which amounts to collective punishment. The siege has led to severe shortages of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and persons with disabilities. The report documented cases of preventable child deaths due to starvation and lack of medical care.
Moreover, the report highlighted instances of sexual and gender-based violence used by Israeli security forces as a means of humiliation and control over the occupied population.
Recommendations and Calls for Action
The Commission called on Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire, lift the siege on Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and cease all targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. It urged the Israeli government to comply with international legal obligations and allow access to Gaza for further investigations.
The WCC and other international bodies continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of human rights in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
