Riham Jafari, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator at ActionAid Palestine, said:
We categorically denounce the reported green light from the U.S. for Israel to undertake military action in Rafah and forcibly transfer the million plus people sheltering in Rafah to so-called “humanitarian islands” within Gaza so Israel can continue its violent rampage which is now entering its sixth month.
These people are not simply an inconvenience in this war, this flagrant disregard for international law constitutes a gross violation of the rights of Gazans, who have already endured countless displacement since this crisis began. Palestinians in Gaza must be guaranteed their inalienable right to return to their homes.
We demand an immediate cessation of this plan and call for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and adhere to their obligations under international law. All this ceasefire talk from leading nations is hot air if they allow the Israeli government to facilitate the mass transfer of the now largest refugee camp on earth. This cannot be allowed to happen, and we urge governments to ensure it does not for the good of humanity.
ENDS
For media requests, please email Jenna.Farineau@actionaid.org or call 202-731-9593.
Spokespeople are available:
- Niranjali Amerasinghe, Executive Director of ActionAid USA
- Riham Jafari, Coordinator of Advocacy and Communication for ActionAid Palestine
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working withmore than 41 million people living in more than 71 of the world’s poorest countries.We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.