The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
William Lambers
The United States has a responsibility to intensify diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. The conflict has already cost thousands of Israeli and Palestinian lives. We cannot sit by and see more children dying of bombs and starving to death.
The war started when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched deadly terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. Israel is responding by launching a massive assault on the neighboring Gaza Strip of Palestine, where Hamas is based.
A humanitarian tragedy is taking place right now in Gaza as over a million civilians are displaced because of the fighting. Children in Gaza are suffering the most.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder says, “The numbers are appalling; reportedly more than 3,450 children killed; staggeringly, this rises significantly every day. Gaza has become a graveyard for thousands of children. It’s a living hell for everyone else. “
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Palestinian civilians in Gaza are in danger of bombs and also starvation. Shortages of food, water and medicine are becoming worse by the day. Humanitarian aid deliveries cannot take place at the level needed because of the continuing violence. Only a ceasefire can allow relief agencies to reach everyone in need.
UNICEF, the World Food Program and other UN relief agencies stated, “We call for a humanitarian ceasefire, along with immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza to allow humanitarian actors to reach civilians in need, save lives and prevent further human suffering.”
A ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war must take place to save civilians from bombs and hunger.
As Sean Callahan, the president of Catholic Relief Services, warns. “The situation of civilians in Gaza is extremely alarming and desperate, and we need to act now to prevent a total humanitarian catastrophe.”
A ceasefire also gives the opportunity for diplomacy to gain the release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7th attacks. Peace talks are the only hope for Israel and Palestine. More war is not the answer. War sets the stage for the next war. There has been a vicious cycle of violence for decades between Israel and Palestine that must be broken.
Everyone can write to President Biden and Congress, encouraging them to use diplomacy to gain a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. It’s also critical we support the humanitarian agencies trying to provide aid to Israelis and Palestinians in need.
The UN World Food Program (WFP) has started a relief mission to feed a million people in Gaza. But the WFP is facing low funding because of the many emergencies across the globe. There are massive levels of hunger now because of wars and climate change. The WFP had to reduce rations in Gaza this summer because they are not receiving enough donations. It’s critical that humanitarian aid get the funding necessary for the relief of war-torn Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have suffered for many years from hunger and poverty. It’s critical we help them now to survive this war and rebuild once the fighting stops.
We need to end wars in the Middle East and instead have food and economic development for its people.
War will not bring peace for Israel and Palestine. Diplomacy, backed by humanitarian aid, is the only road to peace in the region.
The U.S. must press for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. We must ensure life-saving aid for starving civilians in Gaza.
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William Lambers is the author of The Road to Peace and partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.
