The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) in London signed the IOPT ceasefire letter, alongside 378 organisations from 50 countries.
The letter will soon be open to individuals to sign it. Social media users can also amplify the letter using the hashtag #CeasefireNow .
The letter is entitled “#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”, the letter read. “Thousands of people have been killed, injured, displaced, and nearly two hundred remain held hostage, including children and elderly.”
Citing UN reports, the letter said water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and even body bags, are running out due to the siege. It said 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”, said the organizations. “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”, the letter further read.
The organizations said that 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.”
The organisations called on all parties to unconditionally:
The letter further urged the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General and all world leaders with influence to take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire comes into effect.
“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”, the letter concluded.