Plan International Australia stands by communities and young people in Gaza and beyond its borders and calls for immediate ceasefire

Plan International Australia is deeply saddened by the deaths of over 60 children – and the hundreds injured – due to the current violence in Gaza and beyond its borders.

As one of the largest children’s rights organisation, we believe in a world where all children are safe and call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties.

This includes ending deliberate and indiscriminate attacks that kill and maim children, and ending attacks on education and healthcare facilities (all grave violations against children in armed conflict).

We are horrified by the airstrikes that have now taken hundreds of lives – the violence must stop now.

According to the United Nations, since May 10, 213 Palestinians – including 63 children – have been killed in Gaza by airstrike, with at least 110 of those verified as civilians. In Israel, 12 people have been killed. In the West Bank, 22 have been killed and thousands injured.

No child should be waking up to the sounds of bombs falling or sirens wailing, yet this is tragically a common occurrence for the children in this region.

Unhindered humanitarian access for aid workers to provide assistance to populations in need is crucial, including in Gaza.

For further comment please contact Plan International Australia media and Ambassador manager James Norman on 0451291775 or public relations advisor Claire Knox on 0452326549