Caritas Australia and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) affirm their call for unimpeded humanitarian aid access, an end to the suffering of civilians in Gaza, and the provision of humanitarian aid in accordance with the first Sunday blessing of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

Caritas Australia and CRA also express grave concern over Israel’s recent approval of plans for private companies to take control of aid distribution in Gaza. This development has been met with criticism from global leaders and humanitarian organisations, warning that this may militarise aid efforts in the region.

Caritas Australia and CRA call for:

• The international community to exert political and diplomatic pressure to ensure full respect for international humanitarian law
• A lasting ceasefire and return of all hostages, those still alive and those who are dead
• Adherence to international humanitarian and human rights laws, particularly the provision of unimpeded humanitarian access through impartial aid distribution mechanisms
• The abandonment of plans to intensify offensive actions in Gaza, which would result in further harm to civilians

Kirsten Sayers, CEO of Caritas Australia, said, ‘What concerns us most is the grave level of human suffering in Gaza, with children bearing the brunt as they make up around half the population.

The suffering of civilians is something that should deeply unsettle every member of our global family. Humanitarian blockades strike at the heart of human dignity and must not be an accepted feature of war.’

Anne Walker, CRA National Executive Director, said, ‘We call for the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid to bring an end to the terrible suffering.’

The Josephite order has joined the call for an end to what it describes as ‘the genocide in Palestine’, saying, ‘It is clear from media reports that the people of Gaza are gripped by existential terror, and are living daily in fear for their lives.’

Sr Jan Barnett, Josephite Justice Coordinator, said, ‘To watch as the Israeli Government describes the death and destruction of Palestinians as ‘unfortunate’ and claims that the IDF [Israel Defence Force] atrocities are aimed solely at the annihilation of Hamas, is deeply disturbing….

‘To condemn the destruction of Gaza is not antisemitism; it is a denunciation of wanton injustice… this is a battle, not just for Hamas or Gaza, but for the very soul of Israel itself.’ 

To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/gaza or call 1800 024 413 toll free.