‘A global chorus of Amnesty International members and supporters are calling for the protection of all civilians at risk’ - Erika Guevara-Rosas

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend a Gaza ceasefire now march in London tomorrow, an Amnesty International petition demanding an immediate ceasefire has gained more than a million signatures.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:

“Outraged over the devastating toll on civilians, a global chorus of Amnesty International members and supporters are calling for the protection of all civilians at risk by signing our petition to demand an immediate ceasefire by all parties to the conflict. 

“For more than one month the international community has failed to act in the face of staggering levels of civilian bloodshed, destruction and unimaginable human suffering in Gaza. This failure is a shameful stain on humanity. Instead, some states continue to arm parties to the conflict with weapons used in flagrant violations of human rights.

“Hundreds of thousands of people continue to protest across the world to demand a ceasefire, yet their calls have gone unheeded by the international community as warring parties continue to display a callous disregard for civilian lives.

“The only way to prevent further loss of civilian lives and allow lifesaving aid to reach those in desperate need in Gaza is for states to act now to demand an immediate ceasefire by all parties to the conflict in the occupied Gaza Strip. 

“A ceasefire will also provide opportunities to secure the release of hostages and for independent international investigations to take place into the war crimes committed by all parties to address long-standing impunity. Ultimately, justice and reparation for all victims and dismantling Israel’s entrenched system of apartheid against Palestinians are essential to ending the cycle of recurrent horrors.

“The world is watching in horror as more and more civilians lose their lives each day amid Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground operations, and the unfolding of an unprecedented, man-made humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Gaza Strip.

“Civilian hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza remain in danger, and ongoing indiscriminate rocket fire into Israel places civilians at risk.”

Amnesty has documented evidence of violations of international law, including war crimes, by all parties to the conflict. Israel has responded to the horrific attacks by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October with a devastating bombing campaign in Gaza, including unlawful indiscriminate attacks, and by intensifying its 16-year-long illegal blockade on Gaza.