Full and immediate ceasefire the only moral course of action after one year of violence

In response, Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive at Plan International UK said: “We are heartbroken by the horrific violence that has engulfed Gaza, Israel, the West Bank, and Lebanon since October 2023. Every day that passes without a permanent ceasefire means more children killed, while those who survive are exposed to constant daily traumas that will leave mental and physical scars for years to come.

“The international community has a legal and moral obligation to stop this devastation and prevent countless more deaths. For the sake of children across Gaza and the region, the UK Government must urgently redouble its efforts to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and halt the transfer of all weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel. This is the only moral course of action.

“Together with our peers, we are calling for the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining civilian hostages in Gaza, all Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons, and all Palestinians who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained. We implore the parties to the conflict to respect and adhere to International Humanitarian Law at all times, and continue to call for an immediate end to the targeting of aid workers by the Israeli military in Gaza.

“In response to the crisis, we are scaling up our life-saving assistance to children and civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and the wider region, including through support to local partners. But children continue to endure unimaginable suffering every day, with the risks of starvation and disease growing all the time. We need an immediate ceasefire, now.”

About Plan International UK

Plan International UK is a global children’s charity striving for an equal world. One where every child can reach their full potential and every girl can choose her own future. Poverty, violence, and discrimination still hold back millions of children around the world. And it’s often girls that are most affected. That’s why ensuring girls get equal chances in life is at the heart of everything we do.

We work across more than 80 countries to build a future where every child is safe and receives an education. A world where all girls are free from violence, in control of their own body, know their rights and have their voices heard. And if disaster strikes, we’re there too. We work to protect children, keep them learning and help their communities recover.

But we don’t do it alone. To create lasting change, we work together with children, local communities, partners, and our supporters who believe a better future is possible.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.