Luhlu

Gaza has been a test for humanity, and our political leaders have failed. Their moral authority lies under the rubble, along with the thousands of lives that could have been saved by a ceasefire. We still believe in a more peaceful world, and we are not going anywhere.

Today, I'm thinking of all those in Israel and Palestine suffering unimaginable pain, trauma and fear. The horrific attacks on civilians in Israel were deplorable. This cannot justify the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians, who are paying the price for a crime they did not commit. Half of Gaza’s population are children. Trapped in an open-air prison without food, water, gas or electricity, they are watching their homes turn to rubble with nowhere to go. We should condemn the use of violence against all civilians, Israeli and Palestinian. And we must renew our calls for an immediate ceasefire to prevent any further loss of life. In times of war, we need more voices for peace — and the only way to achieve peace is to end the occupation.