Oxfam Ireland were honoured to bring two Oxfam colleagues from the Occupied Palestinian Territory to present in Leinster House today.
Today, Oxfam workers leading the humanitarian response in Gaza and the West Bank will visit the Irish parliament to speak to Irish politicians about the needs of the region as reconstruction begins.
Clémence Lagouardat, Gaza Response Lead, will address the reality of life in Gaza and the constraints on life-saving aid, which is controlled by Israeli authorities. Mohammad Nasir, Development Manager in the West Bank, will detail how Israel is now effectively annexing the West Bank. The Israeli military is forcibly displacing thousands of Palestinians and deliberately imperilling a viable two-state solution to the conflict.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. 91% of Gazans are experiencing acute food insecurity, 96% of infants between six months old and 23 months old are unable to meet their basic dietary requirements. The sewage system is almost non-existent, and the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
Recent research in the Lancet shows that in 2023 life expectancy in Gaza was 75.5 years. Today, life expectancy in Gaza is 40.6 years: the lowest of any territory in the world.
“The ceasefire has allowed us to realise the sheer extent of the destruction in Gaza.
“The ceasefire is not the end point; a permanent ceasefire will just be the beginning of a long reconstruction process. Now we must begin the reconstruction of infrastructure and of lives. There is visible damage and destruction - the buildings that have been destroyed, the roads that have disappeared, the infrastructure that does not exist anymore – but there is also the destruction of families, of the social fabric, the loss of jobs and incomes, the loss of loves ones.
“Even with all this, the population of Gaza is incredibly strong and the willingness to rebuild and restart their lives is visible. We need to make sure that we give them the opportunity to do so, by guaranteeing an inclusive reconstruction process and a fair peace.”
— Clémence Lagouardat, Gaza Response Lead
“In the West Bank, Israeli settlements continue to expand, land is being seized, homes are demolished, and the people are subjected to violence and daily humiliation. The brutal reality of occupation is not a distant memory – it is happening right now.
“Israel has full control over Area C, which comprises over 60% of the West Bank and there are currently over 800 military checkpoints. It is effectively being annexed before our eyes. Area C is essential for the viability of a two-state solution. Its annexation would effectively dismantle any possibility of establishing a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state, making the two-state solution unfeasible”.
— Mohammad Nasir, Development Manager in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Mr. Nasir expressed his gratitude to Ireland for its firm solidarity and support for Palestine.
“We implore you in Ireland to keep pushing for concrete actions that will hold those responsible for the terrible crimes responsible. Please do not let the world turn its back on Palestine.”
— Mohammad Nasir, Development Manager in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
“The crisis in Palestine is far from over. Last Monday night, February 24th, five newborn babies died of the cold in one hospital in Gaza. The research from The Lancet that life expectancy in Gaza is now the lowest of any place in the world should make us all stop in our tracks.
“What is taking place in the West Bank now is truly shocking. It is a deliberate strategy to strangle a two-state solution to this conflict and the international community cannot allow this to happen.
“The Irish Government has shown remarkable courage and leadership on the world stage to fight impunity and stand up for international law and human rights. We ask Ireland not to falter on this path, to continue its pressing for the EU to review its trade agreement with Israel. At home, we must pass the Occupied Territories Bill to cease all economic activity with illegal settlements. Ireland genuinely is a beacon of hope for Palestinians. We need to honour the hope we have helped to endure by staying true to Palestine and its people”.
— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
ENDS
Clémence Lagouardat, Mohammad Nasir are available for media requests.
Oxfam has, through partners, provided assistance to over 1.2 million individuals during the course of the recent conflict. This aid has included the provision of drinking and domestic water, medication and supplements for women and their babies, food parcels, fuel, cash assistance, solar energy lighting and psychological first aid.
Oxfam continues to provide fuel to wells in north Gaza, provide women with Dignity Kits, install solar powered desalination units and plans to map farmland that has not been heavily shelled to bring it back into use.
“The ceasefire has allowed us to realise the sheer extent of the destruction in Gaza.
“In the West Bank, Israeli settlements continue to expand, land is being seized, homes are demolished, and the people are subjected to violence and daily humiliation. The brutal reality of occupation is not a distant memory – it is happening right now.
“The crisis in Palestine is far from over. Last Monday night, February 24th, five newborn babies died of the cold in one hospital in Gaza. The research from The Lancet that life expectancy in Gaza is now the lowest of any place in the world should make us all stop in our tracks.
