One year after Hamas' brutal attack on Israel and the Israeli army's ongoing war against the terrorist militia in Gaza, the region is now facing the feared escalation in the entire region with the expansion of the war to Lebanon and Yemen and Iran's current attacks on Israel.

"Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel has caused immeasurable suffering: Over a hundred Israeli hostages are still in the hands of Hamas. The families of the more than 1,200 victims of the attack are traumatised. The war that Israel has been waging against the terrorist militia ever since has cost the lives of over 40,000 people in Gaza. People are fleeing everywhere: In Gaza, in Lebanon and in Israel. Everywhere, civilians, uninvolved women and children are the main victims of the violence that makes everyone a loser," emphasises Dorothee Klüppel, Head of the Africa and Middle East Department at Misereor.

Emergency aid under adverse circumstances

For the staff of Misereor's partner organisations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, 7 October was also a profound turning point. "For a year now, they have had to experience how their efforts for peace and reconciliation, better healthcare and educational programmes have been threatened by violence and terror. Nevertheless, everyone is trying to keep the project work going," reports Klüppel. In addition, many are working hard and under difficult conditions to provide emergency aid and supply refugees in Gaza and now also in Lebanon with food, clean water, medicines, hygiene products, blankets and mattresses.

Political solutions for peace must be found

"Together with our partner organisations in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, we are calling on Germany and Europe to massively step up their commitment to ending the violence and negotiating peace. This terrible war must end and the Israeli hostages must be released. Political solutions must finally be found that fulfil the demands for justice, dignity and security for all in the region," said Klüppel.

Misereor is asking for donations for the people affected by the conflict who are in need of support:

Keyword: Emergency aid Middle East
IBAN: DE75 3706 0193 0000 1010 10
Bank: Pax Bank Aachen