THE Movement of the Democratic Women in Israel expresses deep concern over the increasing military operations targeting Israel and the Gaza Strip and the tragic loss of innocent lives — both Palestinian and Israeli.

The movement strongly criticises US President Joe Biden’s allocation of substantial funds for weaponry to Israel and the deployment of naval vessels in the Mediterranean region.

A diplomatic solution is needed and is the only route out of the bloodshed.

The bloody assault that began on October 7 was a reaction to the Israeli government’s persistent blockade of the Gaza Strip and the illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

In a co-ordinated attack, Hamas launched a substantial offensive, firing thousands of rockets into Israel, while their militants infiltrated Israeli towns and rural villages.

The aftermath of the assault resulted in over 700 Israelis losing their lives, including more than 70 soldiers, and over 2,400 others sustaining injuries.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, at least 560 Palestinians have lost their lives, with over 2,900 wounded due to Israeli bombardments.
 
The horrific aggression towards Israeli civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, of which we saw footage on different media platforms, is deeply distressing. Entire families were killed in their homes or taken into captivity.

The movement is especially concerned about the state of women and children who are being held captive as we speak.

We urge the international community to pressure all relevant agents to release immediately all the civilians, Israeli and Palestinian, and especially children and women, who are held in unlawful captivity.

We vehemently condemn and stand against any aggression towards innocent civilians. However, we make it clear that this extends to Palestinian civilians as well, a stance not shared by the Israeli government.

It is crucial to analyse these tragic incidents within the proper context: the ongoing occupation, blockade on Gaza, and the daily transgressions of settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

We are sounding the alarm that this escalation will exact a toll on all parties, primarily innocent civilians, especially women and children, on both sides.

The Israeli government, which we characterise as a pro-fascist regime, not only endorses but leads violent attacks on Palestinians, amounting to ethnic cleansing.

The signs were evident, etched in the bloodshed of Palestinians, and now tragically, also of Israelis. Ongoing developments pose a significant risk of a major conflict in the region with devastating consequences.
 
We are convinced that the solution of two states which includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within pre-1967 ceasefire lines in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, is the just and lasting solution for the continuous bloodshed.