The Arab Parliament has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal to the international community, the United Nations and its relevant agencies, as well as Arab, Islamic and international humanitarian and relief organizations, urging immediate action to save Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
اضافة اعلان
The appeal particularly highlights the danger facing children, women and the elderly, who are at risk of dying from exposure to extreme cold and flooding inside deteriorating displacement tents amid heavy rainfall, storms and freezing temperatures, with even the most basic requirements for safe shelter and humanitarian protection unavailable.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Arab Parliament warned that the humanitarian catastrophe was worsening as hundreds of thousands of displaced people continued to endure harsh living conditions threatening their lives and safety.
It said images of displacement tents flooded by rainwater, some collapsing on their occupants, and children, women and elderly people suffering from extreme cold, reflected a devastating humanitarian tragedy requiring immediate international action.
The parliament described the situation as a stain on the international community's conscience, saying it was unacceptable for the world to remain content with issuing statements of concern and condemnation while an entire population was left facing the threat of death in the rain and out in the open, after their homes had been destroyed and they had lost the most basic conditions for a dignified and secure life.
It also stressed that the suffering of displaced people in Gaza was not merely a disaster caused by adverse weather conditions. Rather, it was a humanitarian tragedy exacerbated by the widespread destruction resulting from the Israeli occupation's aggression and the deprivation of Palestinians of the most basic necessities of life, safe shelter and humanitarian protection.
The Arab Parliament emphasized that protecting civilians and providing for their basic needs are legal obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as humanitarian and moral responsibilities that cannot be postponed.
It added that continuing to expose thousands of Palestinian families, especially children, women and the elderly, to the risk of dying from cold and flooding represents a genuine test of humanity's conscience and the international community's credibility.
The parliament called on the United Nations, the UN Security Council and humanitarian and relief organizations to take immediate and effective international action to provide temporary housing, tents resistant to rain and storms, shelter supplies, heating equipment, blankets and medicines.
It also called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza without restrictions or obstacles, urgent measures to protect displaced people from rainfall and flooding, and steps to ensure that Israeli occupation authorities fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law and guarantee that aid reaches those in need.
The Arab Parliament concluded by stressing that Gaza needs more than statements of solidarity and sympathy. It needs urgent international action to save lives, preserve human dignity and put an end to international silence and inaction.
