#CeasefireNow: Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Israel to Prevent a Humanitarian Catastrophe and Further Loss of Innocent Lives

We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly.

In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.

The events of the last week have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility.

On Sunday, October 15th, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to the Occupied Palestinian Territory appealed to all parties to the conflict, and to Member States with influence, to urgently agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.

Today, we put our voices together and call on all Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:

Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff
Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care

The UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence must take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. It remains our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe. Anything less will forever be a stain on our collective conscience.

Civilians are not bargaining chips. Families need a chance to bury and mourn their dead. The cycle of violence against innocent civilians needs to stop.

‍

Individuals can now sign this urgent petition calling for a #CeasefireNOW in Gaza and Israel: https://chng.it/SxNdmDBwCG

‍

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DATE

Friday, October 20, 2023

To

Subject

We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly.

In Gaza, the UN has said that water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. The UN warned that people – particularly young children – will soon start dying of severe dehydration. Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go. Many of those who relocated from northern Gaza to the south after the relocation order by the Israeli army were reportedly bombed as they attempted to flee or once they arrived in southern Gaza.

The events of the last week have led us to the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe and the world can no longer wait to act. It is our collective responsibility.

On Sunday, October 15th, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator to the Occupied Palestinian Territory appealed to all parties to the conflict, and to Member States with influence, to urgently agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.

Today, we put our voices together and call on all Heads of State, the UN Security Council, and actors on the ground, to prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. During this ceasefire, we call on all parties to unconditionally:

Facilitate the delivery of lifesaving assistance, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and the resumption of electricity and internet to Gaza, in addition to safe passage of humanitarian and medical staff
Free all civilian hostages, especially children and elderly
Allow humanitarian convoys to reach UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and commit to protecting them along with the civilians and staff inside them at all times
Rescind orders by the Government of Israel for civilians to depart northern Gaza
Allow patients in critical condition to be medically evacuated for urgent care

The UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence must take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect. It remains our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe. Anything less will forever be a stain on our collective conscience.

Civilians are not bargaining chips. Families need a chance to bury and mourn their dead. The cycle of violence against innocent civilians needs to stop.

‍

Individuals can now sign this urgent petition calling for a #CeasefireNOW in Gaza and Israel: https://chng.it/SxNdmDBwCG

‍

1. BELaady Organization for Human Rights

2. 11.11.11

3. 38 Degrees

4. 50:50 NI

5. ABCD Bethlehem

6. Abductees Mothers Association

7. Academic Foundation for Peace-Conflict Studies

8. ACAT France

9. ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

10. Action Corps

11. Action For Humanity

12. ActionAid International

13. Africa4Palestine

14. Africans Rising

15. Afro-Middle East Centre

16. Agaji Global Unity Foundation, Nigeria

17. Agriculture Developmrnt Associations PARC

18. Ajyal Foundation for Education

19. Al Basma Club for the Disabled

20. Al-Nidal Association for Human Rights

21. Alliance Internationale -AIDL

22. Alquds center for Political Studies

23. American Friends Service Committee

24. Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action)

25. Americares

26. Amis de Sabeel France

27. Amos Trust

28. Anera

29. AOI

30. Arab foundation for civil society and human rights

31. Arab NGO Network for Development

32. Armadilla Scs

33. ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth

34. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz

35. Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE)-Philippines

36. Asociación Otra Escuela

37. Association Ifriqiya

38. Association of War Affected Women

39. ASSOPACEPALESTINA

40. Avaaz

41. Baptist Union of Wales

42. Basmeh & Zeitooneh for Relief and Development

43. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine

44. bina

45. Bond, the UK network for INGOs

46. Broederlijk Delen

47. Bytes For All, Pakistan

48. Caesar Families Association

49. CAFOD

50. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

51. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)

52. CARAS

53. Care International

54. Carolina Peace Center

55. CCFD-Terre Solidaire

56. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights

57. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

58. Center for Human Rights in Iran

59. Center for Peace Education, Miriam College

60. Central Asian Network on Statelessness

61. Centre for human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)

62. Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA

63. CESVI

64. cfd - The feminist Peace Organisation

65. Change Horizons Forum

66. ChildFund Alliance

67. Christian Aid

68. Christian Aid Ireland

69. Church and Peace - Ecumenical peace church network in Europe

70. Church World Service

71. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

72. CIDSE

73. CISP

74. CISS - COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE SUD SUD

75. City of Sanctuary Sheffield

76. CIVICUS

77. CNCD-11.11.11

78. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific

79. Coexist Community kitchen CIC

80. Committee to Protect Journalists

81. COPE Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti

82. COSPE

83. Cotidiana Mujer AFM

84. Council for Arab-British Understanding

85. Council on American-Islamic Relations

86. Counterpoints Arts

87. CRIC - Centro Regionale d'Intervento per la Cooperazione ETS

88. Culturel Center Beethoven Bettounssi

89. DanChurchAid

90. DanChurchAid

91. Danish Refugee Council

92. Daraj Media

93. DC Peace Team

94. Défense des Enfants International - Belgique

95. Defense Foundation for Rights and Freedom

96. Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights

97. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

98. Democracy School

99. Denis Hurley Peace Institute

100. Diakonia

101. Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality

102. Dóchas

103. docP - BDS Netherlands

104. Economistas sin Fronteras

105. EducAid

106. Educo Member of ChildFund Alliance

107. EL SPACE

108. Embrace the Middle East

109. English for Action (EFA) London

110. Entraide & Fraternité

111. Episcopal Relief & Development

112. Escola de Cultura de Pau (School for a Culture of Peace)

113. Eşit Haklar İçin İzleme Derneği

114. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

115. European Alternatives

116. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

117. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (ECR2P)

118. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine - ECCP

119. European Network on Statelessness

120. Fédération Internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)

121. Feminist Task Force

122. Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid

123. Fields of Peace

124. Foro Ciudadano Relaciones Celac-UE

125. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)

126. France Palestine Mental Health Network

127. Friends Committee on National Legislation

128. Friends of Nablus and Surrounding areas (FONSA)

129. Fundación Cultura de Paz

130. Fundación ISCOD - Sindicalistas sin fronteras

131. FUNDACIÓN MUNDUBAT

132. Futuro en Común

133. Gandhi Development Trust Phoenix Settlement Trust

134. Gender Action for Peace and Security

135. Gender Advisory Team

136. Genera: Red de mujeres feministas por la equidad de género en el desarrollo

137. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

138. Global Communities

139. Global Health Italian Network

140. Global Justice Center

141. Global Justice Now

142. Global Link

143. Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)

144. Global Rights

145. Global Witness

146. GPPAC Pacific-Pacific Women Mediators Network

147. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)

148. Haliéus

149. Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

150. Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights

151. Health Justice Initiative (HJI) South Africa

152. Health Poverty Action

153. HEKS/EPER – Swiss Church Aid

154. Helen Suzman Foundation

155. HelpAge Interational

156. HIAS

157. Human Life Foundation for Development and Relief

158. Human Rights & Democracy Media Center ‎‏“‏SHAMS‏"‏

159. Human Rights Sentinel

160. Humans for Rights Network

161. Husna Foundation

162. ICNA

163. ICNA Council for Social Justice

164. ICNA Council for Social Justice (ICNA CSJ)

165. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation

166. IM Swedish Development Partner

167. Ina autra senda - Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace

168. INGO ALG CONSULTING GROUP

169. Innovation for Change - Middle East and North Africa

170. Innovation for Change South Asia

171. Institute for Policy Studies - New Internationalism Project

172. Institute for Security Studies

173. Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion

174. International Federation for Human Rights

175. International Press Institute

176. International Rescue Committee

177. INTERSOS

178. IPMHN Ireland Palestine Mental Health Network

179. Iraqi Women Network

180. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

181. Islamic Center of Boca Raton

182. Islamic Center of Detroit

183. Islamic Center of Yorba Linda

184. Islamic Relief

185. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)

186. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK- UK

187. Israelisches Komitee gegen Hauszerstörungen (ICAHD) Germany

188. Japan international Volunteer Center(JVC)

189. Jewish Network for Palestine

190. Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestine jvjp, Switzerland

191. Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque

192. Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council

193. Jews against the Occupation Sydney

194. Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

195. Jusoor Center for Studies and Development

196. Kairos Palestine

197. Kairos Palestine Sweden

198. Kairos Sabeel Netherlands

199. Kenya Human Rights Commission

200. KURVE Wustrow - Centre for Training and Networking in Nonviolent Action e.V.

201. La Coordinadora de ONGD -España

202. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights

203. Lebanese Union for persons with physical disability/Arab forum for the rights of persons with disabilities

204. Liberian Energy Network

205. Ligue Algérienne de Défense des Droits de l'Homme - LADDH

206. Lutheran World Federation

207. MADRE

208. Marib Girls Foundation

209. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

210. Medact

211. Médecins du Monde International Network

212. Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

213. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

214. medico international

215. medico international schweiz

216. MENA Statelessness Network (Hawiati)

217. Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

218. Mercy Corps

219. Mercy-USA for Aid and Development

220. Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Preventing of Armed Conflict - MENAPPAC

221. Middle East Children's Alliance

222. Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND)

223. Migrant Roots Media

224. Min Haqi Foundation to empower women politically and economically

225. Misereor

226. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre (Australian Province)

227. Mouvement Social

228. Musaala Organization for Human Rights

229. Muslim Aid

230. Muslim Legal Fund of America

231. Mwatana for Human Rights

232. Naseef Muallem

233. National Cancer Control Foundatin - Yemen

234. Nationality For All

235. Network of the independent Commission for Human rights in North Africa CIDH AFRICA

236. NGO SPES

237. NGOs Platform of Saida - Tajamoh

238. Nobel Women’s Initiative

239. Nonviolence Network in the Arab Countries

240. Nonviolent Peaceforce

241. Nophotozone

242. North American Imams Fellow

243. North West Migrants Forum

244. Northern Friends Peace Board

245. Norwegian Church Aid

246. Norwegian Refugee Council

247. OMCT Tunisia

248. Outright International

249. Oxfam

250. Palestinian Human Rights Organisation "PHRO"

251. PARCIC

252. PAX

253. Pax Christi Australia

254. Pax Christi International

255. Pax Christi Pilipinas

256. Pax Christi USA

257. Peace and freedom ORG.( PFO)

258. Peace Boat

259. Peace Committee, 15th St. Friends Meeting, NYC

260. Peace Direct

261. Peace Organization for Peaceful Coexistence

262. Peace Watch Switzerland

263. Peace Winds Japan

264. Peacemaker Trust

265. Permanent Peace Movement

266. Piattaforma OSC italiane in Medio Oriente e Mediterraneo

267. Plan International USA

268. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine

269. PREMIERE URGENCE INTERNATIONALE

270. Première Urgence Internationale

271. Project on Middle East Democracy

272. Protection Approaches

273. PVE for Peace

274. PVE Works

275. Quakers in Britain

276. Rainbow Refugees NI

277. Rebuilding Alliance

278. Reclaim The Sea

279. Red Dot Foundation Global

280. RefuAid

281. Refugee Support Group

282. ReThinking Foreign Policy

283. Revista La Mar de Onuba

284. Right to Movement Palestine

285. Rights Realization Centre

286. Romanian Peace Institute - PATRIR

287. Roshanka

288. Sabeel

289. Sabeel Kairos Norway

290. Sabeel-Kairos UK

291. Salam for Democracy and Human Rights

292. Salam For Yemen

293. SALAM NGO

294. SAM Organization for Rights and Libertie

295. Sanad alBasra Organization for Human Rights

296. Save the Children

297. SB Overseas Soutien Belge

298. Schengen Peace Foundation

299. Search for Common Ground

300. Secours Islamique France (SIF)

301. SEDRA-FEDERACIÓN PLANIFICACIÓN FAMILIAR

302. SEEN.TV

303. Seenaryo

304. Sheba Youth Foundation

305. Shining Star educational organization of Afghanistan

306. Shma Koleinu - Alternative Jewish Voices of NZ

307. Social Development Hodeida Girls Foundation

308. Solutions for a Small Planet

309. SOS Children's Villages Palestine

310. SOS Children's Villages Netherlands

311. SOS Children's Villages International

312. Statefree

313. Ster

314. STOPAIDS

315. Strategic Dialogue Group

316. Study sky academy

317. SUDS - International association of solidarity and cooperation

318. Syrian American Medical Society

319. Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).

320. Syrians for Truth and Justice

321. Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights

322. Tanzania Community Health Information and Support

323. Terre Des Hommes Foundation Lausanne

324. Terre des Hommes International Federation

325. Terre des Hommes Italia

326. The Center for Mind Body Medicine

327. The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

328. The Episcopal Church

329. The Foundation for Middle East Peace

330. The Khalifa Ihler Institute

331. The Mosque Cares | Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed

332. The Palestinian Return Centre

333. The Pickwell Foundation

334. The United Church of Canada

335. the3million

336. UK-Palestine Mental Health Network

337. UN Association of San Diego

338. UN Youth Association of Romania - Cluj Branch

339. United Against Inhumanity

340. United Nations Association - UK

341. University Network for Human Rights

342. UOSSM International

343. US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)

344. Vento di Terra345. VIS346. Viva Salud

347. VOLONTARI NEL MONDO RTM

348. Vrede vzw

349. War Child Holland

350. War Child Sweden

351. War Child UK

352. War Childhood Museum

353. War on Want

354. We Effect

355. Welfare Association (UK)

356. WESPAC Foundation, Inc.

357. WeWorld - Member of ChildFund Alliance

358. WILPF Spain

359. Womankind Worldwide

360. Women and Gender Institute

361. Women for Peace

362. Women for Women International

363. Women for Women International

364. Women in Black Vienna

365. Women Political Alliance - Kenya

366. Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)

367. Women’s Institute for Leadership Development

368. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom UK

369. Women's International Peace Centre

370. Womens Refugee Commission

371. World Federalist Movement/ Institute for Global Policy

372. World Student Christian Federation

373. Worldwide Women's Forum

374. Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

375. Youth Against Irregular Migration

376. Youth Vision Society

377. Youths Volunteering for Sustainable Development (YOVSUD)

Co-signed by