Child rights and humanitarian NGO, Plan International, fully opposes the reports of an Israeli planned camp in Gaza which has been described as a ‘humanitarian city’ for Palestinians, warning it could not be further from a humanitarian project.
Commenting on the plans, Dr. Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director from Plan International said:
“We are deeply disturbed by the announcement of the Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz that the Israeli military is preparing to forcefully move 600,000 Palestinians to a guised mass detention camp to be built of the ruins of Rafah city.
“We reject the Israeli government’s proposed forced displacement plan in its entirety. It is inhumane and illegal - not remotely humanitarian. This proposal is not the answer to the devastation Gaza has experienced over the last 21 months. Palestinian children and their families must be free to live and move in all of Gaza and the West Bank, their home – safely. The forcible transfer of a population is illegal under International Humanitarian Law and could amount to ethnic cleansing.
“The Israeli government has militarized aid in Gaza – over 800 starving Palestinians, including many children, were killed as they risked their life seeking food for their families. This is a moral stain on humanity. The distribution scheme run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a deathtrap and is evidence that the Israeli military cannot provide a humanitarian solution.
“World leaders must use all means possible to prevent this catastrophic plan. The United Nations has rejected it. We demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, for states to stop all arms transfers, and an end to the aid blockade. The UN and partners must be allowed to operate unhindered in Gaza, they are the only legitimate and principled humanitarian organisations with the ability and experience to ensure the effective delivery of aid.
“Plan International alongside our partners operating inside Gaza are on standby, ready to provide aid and psychosocial support now.
“We need a ceasefire, not a detention camp.”
ENDS
For further information or interview requests, please contact:
Robin Knowles, Global Media Manager, Plan International
Tel: +1 (437) 326-8410
Email: Robin.Knowles@Plan-International.org
About Plan International
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters, and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.
For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.
We won’t stop until we are all equal.