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“Since the shocking attacks of 7 October in southern Israel, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and took 240 others hostage, Israel’s military response in Gaza has become tantamount to a war not only against Hamas but against all the people of the territory,” he said.
At least 21,500 Gazans have been killed, and almost 56,000 injured, while a staggering 1.9 million people – more than 80% of the population – have been displaced.
“Most civilian infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, and essential services such as healthcare, education, and protection systems have collapsed,” said Pillay. “The humanitarian consequences are incalculable, and escalating with every day of violence that passes.”
Israeli forces currently advancing on refugee camps in central Gaza have forced an estimated 150,000 more Palestinians to flee, but no part of the territory can be considered a safe refuge for them, noted Pillay.
“The impact on children and families in the region is particularly grievous,” he said. “More than 8,600 children have been killed, and many thousands more injured or orphaned. Their homes have been destroyed and their families displaced and torn apart. They lack access to water, food, healthcare or education. Moreover, they are experiencing extreme trauma, with mental health impacts that are likely to have lifelong and intergenerational consequences.”
Meanwhile, Pillay said, masked by the overwhelming crisis in Gaza, violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is also rising sharply. “While the period from January to October 2023 had already seen the highest levels of attacks by Israeli security forces and Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank since United Nations records began in 2005, the situation deteriorated rapidly following 7 October,” he said. “A recent UN report documents the killing of 300 Palestinians – including more than 50 children – by Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank since the Hamas attacks.”
Pillay called for an immediate end to this brutal violence, “which cannot possibly bring peace and security for either Israelis or Palestinians, but can only lead to yet more violence and bloodshed.”
Pillay added: “There must be a comprehensive emergency response to the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Gazan people. And there must – as an essential basis for any future sustainable peace in the region – be full accountability for crimes committed, by Israeli armed forces and settlers as well as by Hamas militants.”
On the eve of the new year, he said, “we pray that all those currently perpetrating violence and brutality will turn back from this self-destructive course, and choose the path of dialogue, justice and peace. We pray that the people of the region will be liberated from the suffering imposed on them by vengeful violence and illegal occupation. And we pray for peace in the land of Christ’s birth, founded on justice and respect for the equal human rights of all, Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.”
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WCC statement on the war against the people of Gaza
As a year of exceptional and increasing conflict draws to a close, and as we pray for peace for all in 2024, that prospect seems nowhere more remote than for the suffering and traumatized people of Gaza.
Since the shocking attacks of 7 October in southern Israel, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and took 240 others hostage, Israel’s military response in Gaza has become tantamount to a war not only against Hamas but against all the people of the territory.
At least 21,500 Gazans have been killed, and almost 56,000 injured, while a staggering 1.9 million people – more than 80% of the population – have been displaced. Most civilian infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, and essential services such as healthcare, education and protection systems have collapsed. The humanitarian consequences are incalculable, and escalating with every day of violence that passes.
Israeli forces currently advancing on refugee camps in central Gaza have forced an estimated 150,000 more Palestinians to flee, but no part of the territory can be considered a safe refuge for them.
The impact on children and families in the region is particularly grievous. More than 8,600 children have been killed, and many thousands more injured or orphaned. Their homes have been destroyed and their families displaced and torn apart. They lack access to water, food, healthcare or education. Moreover, they are experiencing extreme trauma, with mental health impacts that are likely to have lifelong and intergenerational consequences.
Meanwhile, masked by the overwhelming crisis in Gaza, violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is also rising sharply. While the period from January to October 2023 had already seen the highest levels of attacks by Israeli security forces and Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank since United Nations records began in 2005, the situation deteriorated rapidly following 7 October. A recent UN report documents the killing of 300 Palestinians – including more than 50 children – by Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank since the Hamas attacks.
There must be an immediate end to this brutal violence, which cannot possibly bring peace and security for either Israelis or Palestinians, but can only lead to yet more violence and bloodshed. There must be a comprehensive emergency response to the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Gazan people. And there must – as an essential basis for any future sustainable peace in the region – be full accountability for crimes committed, by Israeli armed forces and settlers as well as by Hamas militants.
On the eve of the new year, we pray that all those currently perpetrating violence and brutality will turn back from this self-destructive course, and choose the path of dialogue, justice and peace. We pray that the people of the region will be liberated from the suffering imposed on them by vengeful violence and illegal occupation. And we pray for peace in the land of Christ’s birth, founded on justice and respect for the equal human rights of all, Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
