Condemns Violence against Civilians

New York, NY – Amid horrific accounts of violence against civilians in Israel and the Gaza Strip, Sarah Costa, executive director of the Women’s Refugee Commission, issued the following statement:

“All of us at the Women’s Refugee Commission are devastated by the massacre of civilians – including children – in Israel. We are also horrified by what is happening to children and families in the Gaza Strip.

“The Women’s Refugee Commission echoes the call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip. A humanitarian corridor must be established, and maintained, and it needs to happen immediately. Thousands of people are now homeless, without electricity, fuel, and water. Hospitals and mobile response teams are unable to cope with the volume of casualties.

“We urge Egypt to open its border to Palestinians from Gaza and to allow free and safe passage of displaced persons and humanitarian assistance, and we call for the respect of international laws, including the protection of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.”

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