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Calls for a ceasefire during the Israel–Hamas war

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A protester holding a sign that reads "CEASEFIRE NOW" and has drawings of Palestinian flags
A protestor at a pro-ceasefire rally in Finland
Calls for a ceasefire in Toronto

During the Israel–Hamas war, calls for a ceasefire have been a common feature of international reactions to the conflict. Many international actors perceived an urgent need for a ceasefire due to the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the increasing death toll of civilians, primarily due to the Israeli blockade and invasion of the Gaza Strip. Notably, the leaders of some European governments that generally support Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict were among the voices calling for a ceasefire, including France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, alongside Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, among others.[1]

Debates over the impact and timing of a ceasefire became a prominent part of domestic political discourse in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, whose governments have instead called for "humanitarian pauses" to the current fighting.[2][3] As of 11 November 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to reject calls for a ceasefire,[4] while on 13 November, a spokesman for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades offered to release 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day truce and ceasefire.[5]

Governments calling for a ceasefire

Africa

  •  Algeria: In February 2024, Algeria put forward a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages.[6] On 20 February, thirteen members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of the resolution. However, it was vetoed by the United States.[7]

Americas

  •  Brazil: As early as 11 October, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on X that "An international humanitarian intervention is urgently needed... A ceasefire is urgently needed in defense of Israeli and Palestinian children."[8]
  •  Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit condemned the conflict, calling it "abhorrent."[9]
  •  Honduras: The government issued a statement condemning Hamas for the attacks, expressed solidarity with the people of Israel and made a call for a ceasefire.[10] However, on 3 November, Honduras recalled its ambassador to Israel citing violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.[11]
  •  United States:
    •  Hawaii: The Hawai'i State Senate became the first legislative body in the United States to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.[12] The bill reads "members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are urged to insist that the Biden Administration call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza."[13]

Asia

On 27 October, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution ES-10/21 calling for an "immediate and sustained" humanitarian truce.

Europe

  •  Albania: On 9 November 2023, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that "A negotiated cessation of active hostilities is imperative", while still clarifying that "Albania stands firm with Israel against Hamas".[23]
  •  France: On 10 November 2023, President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire and urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians.[24]
  •  Ireland: Calling for a ceasefire in August 2024, Prime Minister Simon Harris said: "40,000 dead in Gaza is a milestone the world must be ashamed of. International diplomacy has failed to protect innocent children, some only days old."[25]
  •  Russia: By 13 October, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia was calling for a "humanitarian cease-fire".[26]
  •  Switzerland: The government condemned the attacks and asked for all parties to work toward a peaceful resolution. It also "underlined that de-escalation is the priority" and "called on those responsible to do everything possible to bring about a ceasefire and avoid a regional escalation."[27]
  •  Turkey: On 4 November, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel "in view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel's refusal (to accept) a ceasefire."[28]

Oceania

  •  Australia: On 22 March 2024, Australia and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.[29] In July 2024, the Australian prime minister, along with the prime ministers of Canada and New Zealand, called for a ceasefire in Gaza.[30]

Responses in Israel and Gaza

As of 11 November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to reject calls for a ceasefire,[31] while on 13 November, a spokesman for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades offered to release 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day truce and ceasefire.[32]

On 6 May 2024, Hamas accepted the terms of a ceasefire brokered by Egypt and Qatar.[33]

Public figures calling for a ceasefire

In addition to governments, many public figures, including entertainers and politicians, have called for a ceasefire.[34][35]

Actors

Authors

Comedians

Film directors

Musicians

Politicians

Organizations calling for a ceasefire

Medical

Religious

See also

References

  1. ^ "Israel-Hamas war: Which countries are calling for a ceasefire – and how is it different to a humanitarian pause?". Sky News. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ Mallinder, Lorraine. "Ceasefire, pause or truce? What have Israel and Hamas agreed to?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (5 November 2023). "Humanitarian pause v ceasefire – the debate over how to ease Gaza's suffering". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Israel Latest: Netanyahu Rejects Calls for Cease-Fire With Hamas". Bloomberg.com. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Hamas armed wing says it discussed freeing 70 hostages in return for 5-day truce". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  6. ^ Lederer, Edith (19 February 2024). "UN Security Council to vote Tuesday on resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire, US vows to use its veto". AP News. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Gaza war: US blocks Algerian resolution pushing for a ceasefire with third UN veto". Africanews. AP. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Brazil's Lula calls for ceasefire, humanitarian intervention in Israel-Palestinian conflict". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  9. ^ Henry, George (10 October 2023). "Caribbean nations push for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict". WriteUps24. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Honduras condena el ataque contra Israel, pide cese el fuego y llama al diálogo" [Honduras condemns the attack against Israel, calls for a ceasefire and calls for dialogue] (in Spanish). SwissInfo. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Honduras latest Latin American country to recall ambassador to Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  12. ^ "In 24-1 Vote, Hawaii State Senate Demands Permanent Cease-Fire in Gaza". Common Dreams. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Senate Concurrent Resolution" (PDF).
  14. ^ Masih, Niha (13 December 2023). "U.N. resolution on Gaza cease-fire: Which countries voted for and against it". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Israel-Palestine conflict: Bangladesh calls for immediate ceasefire". The Daily Star. Dhaka. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  16. ^ "ইসরাইল-ফিলিস্তিন সংঘাত: যুদ্ধবিরতির আহবান জানিয়েছে বাংলাদেশ" [Israel-Palestine conflict: Bangladesh calls for ceasefire]. Voice of America (Bangla) (in Bengali). 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  17. ^ Gan, Nectar (19 October 2023). "China's Xi seeks swift end to Israel-Hamas conflict, calls for two-state solution". CNN. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Pakistan calls for ceasefire in Israel-Palestine conflict". The Express Tribune. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Pakistan's concerns at the unfolding situation in the Middle East". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  20. ^ Al Amir, Khitam. "Israel-Palestine conflict: UAE calls for immediate ceasefire to prevent dangerous consequences". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  21. ^ "UAE calls Hamas attacks on Israel a 'serious and grave escalation'". Reuters. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  22. ^ Hoang Ha (19 October 2023). "Viet Nam strongly condemns violent attacks on civilians in Middle East tension". ONLINE NEWSPAPER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM (in Vietnamese). Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  23. ^ Ceta, Kristi. "Albania Stands Firm with Israel, But Ceasefire Needed; PM". Albanian Daily News. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Macron says 'no justification' for bombing civilians as he calls for Gaza ceasefire". The Guardian. 10 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Simon Harris: 'The world must be ashamed' as Gaza death toll passes 40,000". The Irish Examiner. 16 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Israel-Hamas War: Russia calls for humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza". Le Monde.fr. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Statement Israel / OPT". FDFA. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Turkey recalls envoy to Israel, 'writes off' Netanyahu". France 24. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  29. ^ "UK, Australia call for 'immediate' end to fighting in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  30. ^ Hurst, Daniel. "Australia, Canada and New Zealand leaders urge ceasefire in Gaza to end 'catastrophic' situation". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  31. ^ "Israel Latest: Netanyahu Rejects Calls for Cease-Fire With Hamas". Bloomberg.com. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Hamas armed wing says it discussed freeing 70 hostages in return for 5-day truce". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  33. ^ Ni, Vincent; Frayer, Lauren (6 May 2024). "Hamas has accepted a cease-fire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar". Middle East crisis—explained. NPR. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  34. ^ Veltman, Chloe (21 October 2023). "Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza". NPR. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Congressional Support for Ceasefire". Win Without War. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  36. ^ "The US must call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza". Doctors Without Borders. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  37. ^ "MedGlobal Urges VP Kamala Harris at the DNC to Support Immediate Ceasefire and Unimpeded Humanitarian Aid to Gaza". MedGlobal. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Gaza hospital destroyed, WHO chief reiterates ceasefire call". UN News. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  39. ^ "World Council of Churches calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 June 2024.