Friends – With the latest data release by the Gaza Health Ministry, and new insight from journalists and aid workers who were able to put eyes on Gaza for the first time during last week’s brief “humanitarian pause,” a devastating picture has emerged.

Over 15,000 Palestinians have been slaughtered in Gaza in less than two months, and more than 40,000 injured. At least 70% of the casualties are women and children.

There are reports of the IDF arresting healthcare workers and overwhelming evidence of targeting hospitals with both bombs and sniper fire. Ambulances attempting to respond to bomb sites to extract the wounded have also been targeted, putting at least 55 ambulances out of service in Gaza’s already collapsing healthcare system.

Even medical convoys from Doctors Without Borders have been targeted.

Video filmed by an MSF staffer who witnessed the attack.

This is not up for debate. By every single academic, humanitarian, and legal definition, the Israeli government is openly conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Palestinian people.

Since the suspension of a brief, time-limited “ceasefire” that allowed for the exchange of hostages held by both Hamas and the Israeli government, the IDF has pushed civilians in Gaza into supposed safe-zones and then subsequently bombed residential buildings in those zones.

There is only one way forward: To achieve a permanent ceasefire, the Israeli occupation of Palestine must end.

I’ve been an antiwar activist for over 30 years. In all that time I have never seen the antiwar movement as motivated – or as big – as it is right now. Just this weekend I participated in multiple Palestinian solidarity events including a march in Seattle where the crowd shouted out “CEASEFIRE NOW” until our voices cracked.

In the latest polls, 65% of Americans across political ideologies support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas – including a clear majority of Republicans.

Ending the occupation is the only way to achieve lasting peace. Join me, and add your name to demand a permanent ceasefire now.

Finally, I want to encourage everyone to use the resources compiled at CeaseFireToday.com to contact your lawmakers and tell them you demand a ceasefire.

Participate in solidarity marches in your area. Reach out to local mosques to see if they are organizing drives that you can support. Donate to Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF.

Most importantly, talk to your friends and family. Don’t stop talking about Gaza. Keep the pressure on. Our solidarity is Palestine’s only hope.

Solidarity forever,

Jason