LWF appeals for de-escalation in Middle East

In an urgent appeal for peace, the LWF warns “there is everything to lose through an escalation of the conflict” in the region.

13 Aug 2024
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Palestinians walk among the rubble caused by an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City. Photo: Wafa / APAImages (CC-BY-SA)

Palestinians walk among the rubble caused by an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City. Photo: Wafa / APAImages (CC-BY-SA)

Statement calls on all parties and international community to focus on immediate ceasefire and find pathways to peace 

(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has made an urgent appeal for a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas enters its 11th month. Faced with a constant rise in tensions in the region, the statement warns that "there is everything to lose through an escalation of the conflict.  

In the appeal, issued on 13 August, the LWF says that ceasefire talks are “threatened by the constant rise in tensions in the region” and the possibility for new parties to the conflict “to enter open warfare.” 

The statement notes that “almost the entire population in Gaza has been displaced multiple times, aggression between Israel and Hezbollah is increasing and settler violence in the West Bank is becoming a daily event.” 

The LWF urges all parties and the international community “to focus on an immediate ceasefire and finding pathways to peace.” It calls on the parties in conflict “to uphold International Humanitarian Law, facilitate humanitarian access and recognize the humanity of all the populations of the Middle East.”

Statement

For immediate release on 13 August

LWF urgently calls for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas enters its 11th month, news of planned ceasefire talks is being circulated. At the same time, negotiations are threatened by the constant rise in tensions in the region, with the grave potential for the spiral of violence to escalate and new parties to the conflict to enter open warfare.  

Almost the entire population in Gaza has been displaced multiple times, aggression between Israel and Hezbollah is increasing and settler violence in the West Bank is becoming a daily event. 

The LWF calls for active and rapid de-escalation and for all parties to the conflict and the international community to focus on an immediate ceasefire and finding pathways to peace.  

We call on the parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law, facilitate humanitarian access, and recognize the humanity of all the populations of the Middle East. It is vital to recognize that there is little to gain for any party and everything to lose through an escalation of the conflict.

 

Read the full statement

LWF/P. Hitchen
Themes:
Country:
Palestinian Territories
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