Responding to the news that Israel is planning to expand its attacks in Gaza and capture large areas of the territory, ActionAid said:
“This deeply alarming news comes as tens of thousands of people in Gaza have already been forcibly displaced for the umpteenth time, with nowhere safe nor remotely habitable left for them to go. An intensified military offensive will only bring more death and destruction to a people and place already ravaged by more than 16 months of brutal war, and see more of the population uprooted yet again.
“International humanitarian law is clear: displaced people must be allowed to return to their homes. Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and only they have the right to determine its future. The international community must robustly condemn and challenge any attempts to seize land from them and must demand the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. As the humanitarian situation approaches breaking point, with starvation looming and dozens killed or injured in attacks every day, there must be urgent action to resume the ceasefire and end the war permanently.”
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Spokespeople are available for interview, and photos, testimonies and video footage are available on request. Please contact the press office at uk.media@actionaid.org or on +44 7753 973 486 to arrange.