CARICOM Calls For an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – CARICOM has expressed its “horror and concern”  at what it described as “ the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza that continues to worsen”. In a brief statement, CARICOM said that it was also concerned at  mounting death toll on the civilian population, including women and children, particularly in Gaza, but also in other areas of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The grouping said it was calling “on all States to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances in accordance with Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949”.

CARICOM said it also “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”.

It said it wanted to reaffirm “its 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”.

Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages.

Israel has responded with air strikes on Gaza and has launched a ground offensive. More than 10,800 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

On Sunday, health officials and people trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital rejected Israel’s claims that it was helping babies and others evacuate, saying fighting continued just outside the facility where incubators lay idle with no electricity and critical supplies were running out.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets attacked several Hezbollah targets within Lebanon on Sunday, in response to attacks carried out by the Lebanese militant group in northern Israel.

“IDF fighter jets of the Air Force attacked several targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanese territory, in response to the shooting that was carried out earlier today,” the IDF said in a statement.

In its statement, CARICOM said it was calling for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; the immediate release of all hostages and for their humane treatment at all times in compliance with international law”.

In addition, CARICOM wants “ all parties to immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law and the immediate, safe, unimpeded access for adequate, sustained humanitarian support throughout Gaza including food, water, medicines, medical care, fuel and electricity”.