Amnesty International/AmnestyUSA
Civilians must be protected in Gaza and Southern Israel
Amnesty International calls on Israeli forces to immediately halt the unlawful attacks carried out as part of the escalation of violence which has caused over 500 Palestinian deaths and 2000 injuries since December 27. Amnesty International also condemns the rocket fire by armed Palestinian groups including Hamas which resulted in 5 Israeli deaths with several dozen injured.
This is the highest level of Palestinian fatalities and casualties in four decades of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Scores of unarmed civilians, as well as police personnel who were not directly participating in the hostilities, are among the Palestinian victims of the Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip.
The escalation of violence comes at a time when the civilian population already faces a daily struggle for survival due to the Israeli blockade which has prevented even food and medicines from entering Gaza. In an Amnesty International report published in March 2008, AI reported that more than 80% of Palestinians in Gaza rely on humanitarian assistance, with UN food aid going to about 1.1 million people – three quarters of the population. The report also stated that the number of families dependant on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has increased tenfold since 1999.
Amnesty International calls on the international community to intervene without delay to ensure that civilians caught up in the violence are protected and that international humanitarian and human rights workers have immediate and safe access to Gaza.
» Call on Secretary Rice to urge all parties to protect civilians and end unlawful attacks here
» Read Amnesty International's press release here
» Read the letter to Secretary Rice here
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