WelCom October 2024
Peter Lang, Advocacy Analyst, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
One year of conflict in the Holy Land
October 7 marks one year since the devastating conflict in the Holy Land began. The atrocities committed that day were abhorrent and unacceptable, taking more than one thousand lives and plunging the region into chaos. In the ensuing twelve months we have seen some of the worst of humanity – but also humanity at its best.
In one year, the ongoing assault on Gaza has claimed approximately 40,000 lives and permanently changed hundreds of thousands more. The statistics that have come out of this awful conflict are staggering and can be difficult to put into perspective. The Gaza Strip, smaller in area than the size of Lower Hutt, is home to more people than the combined population of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. In the past twelve months, the Israeli Defence Force has dropped more than 75,000 tonnes of bombs into this area, creating more than 100kg of rubble per square metre in the territory. This scale and intensity of devastation is difficult to imagine.
Thousands of aid workers from within the Holy Land and around the world have responded to the devastation, working tirelessly and at great personal danger to bring relief to the civilians in the firing line. Tragically more than 270 aid workers have been killed in the conflict so far, already the deadliest ever for United Nations workers.
When we remember that behind every number is a human life, the tragedy can seem unbearable. But in the personal stories we also find cause for hope.
George, who leads one of our partner organisations on the ground, relocated to the Holy Family Parish with his wife and children. ‘We are in Jesus’ house, we are in his hands,’ he says. ‘We choose life, despite being surrounded by death. We are determined to preserve the Christian presence in Palestine. This is our homeland.’
Caritas has been active on the ground, setting up temporary medical centres to treat almost 11,000 people, providing cash assistance to more than 20,000 people, and psychosocial support to over 500 children, caregivers and staff. Compared with the millions of civilians in Gaza, these numbers may seem small – until we remember the innate value of every life saved.
Our global efforts add up. In the past year, the Caritas Internationalis network has provided medicine, food, shelter, counselling and cash assistance to more than 150,000 people. This is something to be proud of, but we cannot afford to be complacent. As the conflict approaches the one-year mark, things are in danger of escalating in the West Bank and Lebanon. Hundreds of people have been killed in both of these regions already in the past year, but the threat of all-out war would be cataclysmic.
Throughout the past year, we have advocated for a ceasefire and increased aid, speaking out alongside partners in New Zealand and internationally. We know exactly what needs to happen to bring an end to all this unnecessary suffering: an end to escalation in Lebanon, an end to violence in the West Bank, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that will allow all necessary humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.
We cannot make these changes on our own, but together we have a powerful collective voice. Being a voice for the voiceless, calling out injustice, and speaking up for peace are something we can all do.
See more about our work in the Holy Land at caritas.org.nz/holyland