A glimmer of hope
The news today provides a glimmer of hope – a rare moment amid the devastation and pain of the last two years. The news that peace could be on the horizon in Gaza means that the suffering could end.
Whatever happens over the next few days and weeks, it is time for urgent aid and medical supplies to be provided for the hundreds and thousands of displaced Palestinians. And because freedom of expression has also been a casualty of the war on civilians that we have seen, Israel must grant international media access to Gaza. Its refusal to do so has directly put people at risk, preventing those trapped in the conflict from accessing information that saves lives, and has deprived all of us of knowledge about the true scale of devastation and atrocities committed on the ground.
Amid the official death toll of more than 67,000 Palestinians – many of whom are children – and the deaths of 207 journalists, many of whom were directly targeted by the Israeli forces, the voices of those inside Gaza have barely been heard. With infrastructure destroyed, and the hellscape of Gaza almost impossible to comprehend, we must have accurate, informed, unbiased reporting to support the rebuilding efforts.
Ending this conflict with a permanent ceasefire, and an unconditional end to the blockade to allow humanitarian aid in for the Palestinians, the return of all hostages, and the entry of international media into Gaza are fundamental to what happens next.
We know a ceasefire alone will not be enough. It must be accompanied by robust, thorough investigation into all crimes against civilians, including journalists. Without justice and accountability, there will be no true resolution. We have seen time and again that impunity only breeds further conflict.
Ultimately, only political solutions that guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people, and respect their right to self-determination, can bring an end to this conflict. Human rights and freedom of expression must be at the core of these efforts – without them, there can be no justice or lasting peace.
