Worsening the impact of ongoing conflict
Civilians across the region, including Iran, Palestine, Lebanon and Israel, are already suffering the consequences of conflicts. Recent attacks are not an act of peace, nor do they contribute to peace. Instead, they will only further devastate the lives of thousands of ordinary people.
Last month we shared stories from Iran, as people navigated unprecedented force from Iranian authorities. Now the same people are facing daily strikes from the US and Israel. One woman in Iran shared that she attended the protests “to join the calls for freedom and change,” yet the escalation of war in the country will make that nearly impossible.
The war is spreading across the region. Israeli troops have expanded a ground invasion in Lebanon with Israel now issuing evacuation order to people. Strikes across the country have killed dozens of people.
The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is compounded by relentless violence across Gaza and the West Bank. Despite the population in Gaza being reliant on aid to survive, Israel has once again closed the Rafah crossing – the only access route Gaza has to the outside world. Israel has continued near daily attacks on Gaza, ignoring the formal ceasefire agreement. Attacks are also increasing in the West Bank, with Israeli authorities intensifying their forced displacement of Palestinians to accommodate Israeli settlements – all of which are illegal under international law.
