The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has once again called for an urgent truce in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, expressing “horror” at the “catastrophic humanitarian crisis” that is escalating in Gaza.
The increasing number of civilian deaths, especially those of women and children, in Gaza and other Occupied Palestinian Territories, has alarmed CARICOM, according to the organization.
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It has demanded that “all states” uphold and guarantee adherence to the Geneva Conventions, which govern international humanitarian law.
The regional bloc noted in a released statement, “CARICOM… condemns any disregard for international humanitarian law, human rights and the laws of war that have resulted in the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza and deprivation of access to basic necessities including medical care for the people of Palestine.”
CARICOM reiterated their “conviction that a lasting, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved only by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations Resolutions and in accordance with international law”.
In accordance with international law, CARICOM demands that there be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; that all hostages be released immediately and treated humanely at all times; and that all parties immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law; and that there be immediate, safe, unhindered access for adequate, sustained humanitarian support, including fuel, electricity, water, medicines, and medical care, throughout Gaza.
Health officials and those stranded inside Gaza’s biggest hospital have recently rejected Israel’s claims that it was assisting in the evacuation of babies and others, claiming that fighting was still going on right outside the building where vital supplies were running low and incubators were left idle due to lack of electricity.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has rejected urgent international appeals for a cease-fire unless they also involve the return of all of the almost 240 captives that Hamas took during the October 7 attack that started the conflict.
In an attempt to bring an end to Hamas’ 16-year reign over Gaza, locals reported intense bombings and shelling, particularly near Shifa Hospital, a day after Netanyahu declared that Israel was sending its “full force.”
Without presenting any proof, Israel has charged Hamas with hiding a command center beneath and inside the complex; both Hamas and hospital personnel have refuted these accusations.
According to the Health Ministry, 1,500 patients, 1,500 medical staff members, and 15,000–20,000 persons in need of refuge are all present at Shifa.
The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue organization reported that Al-Quds, a different hospital in Gaza City, is “no longer operational” due to a fuel shortage, leaving 6,000 patients stranded inside. Following the forced closure of Gaza’s only power plant a month ago, Israel banned gasoline imports, claiming Hamas would utilize the fuel for military uses.
The US has pressed for short-term breaks that would enable more desperately needed supplies to be distributed to residents in the besieged area, where circumstances are getting worse.
However, Israel has only consented to short daily windows during which civilians can walk south along two main roads and escape the northern Gaza area where ground combat is taking place. Israel keeps hitting what it claims are militant targets in southern Gaza, frequently resulting in the deaths of women and children.
Since the start of the conflict, over 11,000 Palestinians have died, with two-thirds of them being women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between deaths caused by militants and civilians. There have been almost 2,700 reported missing persons.
On the Israeli side, at least 1,200 people have died, the majority of them were civilians murdered in the initial Hamas onslaught. Since the start of the ground battle, forty-six Israeli troops have lost their lives in Gaza.
