Refugee camps should be a place of safety and never a target

We are horrified to learn of the bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza last night, where 50 people are reported to have been killed and hundreds injured. Refugee camps should be a place of safety and civilians, especially children, must be protected and never a target.

As we enter 26 days of this conflict over 8,500 people have been killed, of whom 3,450 are children, according to the Palestinian health ministry. In Israel 1,400 people have been killed with over 200 people kidnapped as hostages. The cost of war on the lives of children is catastrophic. This must stop.

Emergency responders are unable to communicate and families who have faced great trauma are unable to reach each other. Reports this morning that internet and phone connections have been cut for the second time in a week make an already challenging situation incredibly dire.

The United Nations has described Gaza as a ‘Graveyard for thousands of children’ – we cannot bear witness to this any longer and continue to demand an immediate and complete ceasefire, now.