We are deeply concerned by the escalation in fighting in Gaza.
We are increasingly worried by the rising death toll in the West Bank
We are horrified by the unprecedented extent of casualties on both sides and the immense human suffering that this conflict is causing to innocent civilians, including women, children and the elderly.
We repeat our calls for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.
We reiterate our utter condemnation of any violence against civilians which is in total opposition to international humanitarian law.
The time now is not for politics.
The time now is to stop the killing.
The time now is to save lives.
We add our voices to the global chorus calling for a humanitarian pause to the fighting.
We urge the authorities to allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza to offer some respite to the population.
We call on leaders from all sides to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid a wider regional conflagration.
Tulia Ackson, IPU President and Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General.
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See previous Leadership Statements on the Middle East Crisis:
9 October: IPU leadership statement on the situation in the Middle East
12 October: IPU leadership statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
