This statement was originally released by Friends of the Earth International
Friends of the Earth International, together with PENGON/Friends of Earth Palestine, would like to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all our member groups, allies and supporters, for standing with us in defence of Palestinian’s human rights and for fighting with us for justice in Palestine. With this emerging ceasefire agreement, a crucial first step has been taken toward bringing an end to the war, the loss of lives, and the widespread suffering. This will provide much needed relief to Palestinian people in Gaza who have endured unimaginable hardships and destruction throughout this war.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the countless families who have lost loved ones and to those who have been displaced or injured. The toll of this war has been profound, affecting every aspect of life, including access to essential services, education, and basic human dignity.
This moment of respite must be a time for reflection and continued solidarity, but also urgent action. This is a time to rebuild and to save what remains of Gaza. To achieve this we emphasize the need for a sustained ceasefire that ensures security and justice for the people in the Gaza Strip.

After 472 days of genocide, an official ceasefire has been announced. It is crucial however to be aware of the following:
- For the people of Palestine, the ceasefire does not mark the end of the genocide or ecocide. The pace has only slowed. A ceasefire is NOT a declaration of peace. It does NOT constitute justice. It is NOT a form of freedom. It is merely a pause in the ongoing erasure of Palestinian people and their land. The bombs may have stopped falling for now, but the occupation continues to steal, kill, and destroy.
- The scale of destruction is staggering. Homes, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure have been damaged, leaving survivors to navigate a landscape of grief and ruin. As families begin to return to what remains of their homes, they are confronted with the harrowing reality of loss, and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the ashes.
- Days into the ceasefire Israel has launched a large-scale military operation in the West Bank. They are currently escalating their military activity in different areas in the West Bank, mainly in the north, in addition to separating villages and cities through use of the more than 898 gates and checkpoints that have been installed.
- In Gaza, the 19-year blockade has turned the Strip into an open-air prison, where 2.3 million people are denied access to clean water, electricity, and medical supplies. This was the reality long before the genocide, and now even after the ceasefire the consequences of the devastation have intensified these hardships, leaving Gaza to endure even greater difficulties and constraints which have made it an unliveable area.
This cannot continue. To begin the shift towards real justice our demands are as follows:
We call on all governments to:
- financially support the reconstruction of Gaza based on the sovereignty of the Palestinian people ;
- cease the export of all arms, military assistance and spare parts to Israel;
- uphold their obligations under the ICC as a first step towards achieving justice and accountability.
We call on the international community to take solid, tangible actions to support the Palestinian people by:
- pressuring governments to implement the measures above;
- pressuring companies profiting from the occupation to halt their activities, such as Mekorot;
- sharing Palestinian stories, their struggles, and their demands for freedom and the end of the Occupation.