The Xavier Network (XN) – a partnership of Jesuit international mission and development organisations around the world – has backed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The 13-strong group, which includes Jesuit Missions, issued a statement on Friday (April 5) which supported the words of the Jesuit Superior General, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, on the situation, who said: “We cannot be silent.”
As well as pushing for a ceasefire, the XN wants to see the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza and the unconditional release of hostages taken from Israel on 7 October 2023.
Its statement said international humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions governing the legal use of force in armed conflict must be respected and called for an end of all arms sales funding this conflict.
The XN also hopes to see the resumption of negotiations towards a political agreement which guarantees the right of the two peoples to self-determination, security and freedom.
The response also takes into account the incident on Tuesday (April 2), which saw foreign aid workers killed in an airstrike on Gaza.
“As Jesuit organisations involved in responding to humanitarian crises around the world, we also express our shock at the killing of seven aid workers who were delivering essential food aid on 2 April,” the XN said.
“It is reported that 196 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since last October. This is the latest horrific event in a war in which tens of thousands of civilians, many of them children, continue to be the main victims.”
Given its role in responding to the needs of victims of conflict, the group added it was left “deeply disturbed” by the scenes in the Middle East, as well as those affected by violence in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, Ukraine and many other places.
Click here to read the full statement.
Image: Unsplash/Chuttersnap
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