PSI welcomes the ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas, and the suspension of the latest deadly assaults on Gaza, which have needlessly devastated so many lives.

For 11 days the people of Gaza have endured Israeli military airstrikes, killing 243
Palestinians including 55 children. A further 1,900 people have been injured and 91,000 forced to leave their homes in search of protection. 13 people in Israel including 2 children have died, including from rockets fired from Gaza.

Furthermore, residents of Gaza have suffered significant material losses, including a further degradation of vital public services such as water, electricity and health facilities. PSI condemns the violence and regrets the loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives.

Whilst the bombs may have fallen silent for now, unless the root cause of this most recent oppression, 54 years of occupation, is dealt with, the ceasefire will only be temporary.

Whilst the bombs may have fallen silent for now, unless the root cause of this most recent oppression, 54 years of occupation, is dealt with, the ceasefire will only be temporary.

Palestinian refugee families, who have lived in UN built homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem since 1956, continue to face eviction to make way for an illegal settlement. And the Israeli government continues to implement its policies of de facto annexation, demolishing Palestinian homes and property and expand illegal settlements across the West Bank, undermining any hope of a viable, contiguous, independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

PSI reiterates its support for a two-state solution of a viable, contiguous, independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel as the only way to secure lasting peace.

The international community must act now and take concrete action to end their complicity in the occupation, colonisation and oppression endured by the Palestinian people for decades.

PSI calls on the international community to put measures in place to pressure Israel to end the occupation, including a halt to the planned evictions of families in Sheikh Jarrah and other communities, the destruction of Palestinian homes and other property, and the building of illegal settlements, which violate fundamental human rights, and are illegal under international law. PSI will write to all affiliates urging them to raise these demands with their governments.

Furthermore, the international community must insist that Israel removes the barriers to the reconstruction of Gaza, and especially its public services infrastructure.

PSI resolves to support its affiliates in Palestine, and especially in Gaza, and will explore how this can practically be delivered.