Gaza ceasefire must be the start of just and lasting peace
21 January 2025
This ceasefire must be the foundation of lasting peace for Palestine.
Climate Action Network welcomes the implementation of a ceasefire in Gaza as a crucial first step towards ending the latest unimaginable suffering endured by civilians in the region. While the cessation of violence brings fragile relief, this ceasefire presents a critical opportunity for global leaders to engage meaningfully with the long-ignored demands for justice, equality, dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people. It is a chance to act decisively, ensuring this moment becomes the foundation of lasting peace rather than a prelude to renewed violence – and to begin healing the profound trauma inflicted on communities while addressing the environmental devastation that imperils their health, livelihoods, and future resilience.
There is no peace without justice.
The ceasefire must not become a smokescreen for complacency. The systematic denial of the human rights and sovereignty of Palestinians remains unaddressed, and the root causes of violence persist.
CAN therefore demands that the international community prioritise:
1. Concrete action to end Israel’s unlawful presence in all Occupied Palestinian Territory in accordance with international law, including the ICJ advisory opinion and UNGA resolutions.
2. The unimpeded and immediate access of humanitarian agencies to provide lifesaving aid and medical services, in a manner that ensures the safety of women, girls and gender diverse people.
3. The immediate and safe release of all Palestinian prisoners detained unjustly and all Israeli hostages, as a crucial step towards reconciliation and peace.
4. Addressing the human and environmental costs of the conflict, including the urgent mitigating of water and soil contamination, clearing hazardous debris, restoring critical infrastructure such as water, energy, sanitation, health and education systems, and integrating sustainable solutions to support Gaza’s recovery and long-term resilience.
5. Accountability and justice for victims of violations of international law, alongside measures to prevent further atrocities.
6. A peace process that centres the needs and rights of those most affected, particularly Palestinians, ensuring their dignity, safety, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
7. Ending the flow of arms, fossil fuels, and other resources that enable the Occupation and the perpetuation of violence and oppression, in accordance with international law.
8. Championing and protecting freedom of expression in this critical period, when the voices of Palestinian human rights activists and those advocating for justice face repression and criminalisation.
Every moment of inaction costs lives.
This is not just about Palestine – it is about the global community’s commitment to human rights, international law, and a livable future for all.
Climate Action Network stands in solidarity with all those who demand justice and peace, reaffirming our unwavering belief that a better world is possible – one where dignity, safety, and hope are not privileges but rights. Together, let us seize this moment to make it a permanent reality.
ENDS
Climate Action Network “Condemns Escalation” statement from September 30 2024: https://climatenetwork.org/2024/09/30/can-condemns-escalating-violence-by-israel-in-lebanon-and-palestine/
Climate Action Network “Ceasefire Now” statement from October 20 2023: https://climatenetwork.org/2023/10/20/climate-action-network-calls-for-a-ceasefire-now/
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