Oxfam calls Israel-Hamas deal temporary fix, urges diplomatic action for long-term peace

LONDON (AA) – The UK charity Oxfam has called the Israel-Hamas deal “a Band-Aid to a bleeding wound,” and urged diplomatic action for long-term peace.

Oxfam Head of Policy and Advocacy, Katy Chakrabortty, stressed the need for the international community to commit to “the hard work towards peace for all Israelis and Palestinians.”

“It would be an optimism to see this as the beginnings of a road toward a permanent ceasefire – but that looks distant without concerted diplomatic pressure,” she said.

“This pause of the relentless bombing and destruction that is causing such suffering to more than 2 million Palestinians is a welcome respite for the delivery of some humanitarian aid – but no more than that,” she said.

Chakrabortty emphasized that the next four days would be focused on an emergency effort to provide limited relief but warned it would be insufficient to address the widespread suffering and destruction.

She described the current situation as a band-aid that would be “ripped off a bleeding wound after four days.”

Oxfam’s statement outlined the necessary elements of diplomatic efforts, calling for action on the core issues of the conflict.

This includes “ending Israel’s prolonged military occupation of Palestinian territory and the blockade on Gaza while also securing the release of all hostages.”