Archbishop Tapio Luoma, Bishop of Espoo Kaisamari Hintikka and Finn Church Aid appeal: 

On Monday, October 7th, we mark the anniversary of another war. Exactly one year ago, the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, carried out terrorist attacks on the Israeli side as part of a long-running conflict. Around 1,200 people were killed in the attacks, and Hamas took 251 hostages. The Israeli state responded to the attacks with direct military action against the Gaza Strip.  
 
The Israeli state has killed more than 40,000 civilians and injured nearly 100,000 in its retaliation. More than 11,000 of those killed are children. More than 90% of Gaza’s schools have been damaged, and 650,000 children under the age of 10 in the region have lost a full school year. Israeli bombing has destroyed hospitals, schools and churches where people have sought refuge in their distress. Israel is not allowing enough humanitarian aid into Gaza, resulting in a constant shortage of medicines, food, electricity and water. 
 
At the same time, Israel has tightened its occupation of the West Bank. Forced displacement of civilians, house demolitions, settlement expansion and movement restrictions have increased. Insecurity and fear are also caused by increased violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers living illegally in the area. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently declared Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal. 
 
The hardening of Israel’s response has not increased security. War continues to spill over into neighbouring countries, most recently deep into Lebanon, where up to a million civilians have fled bombardments inside the country and across the borders into neighbouring Syria. The prolongation of the crisis is also further aggravating the tense global political situation. 
 
The security and human rights of Palestinians and Israelis are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they can only be achieved together. The only lasting way to end the suffering and stabilise the situation is a permanent ceasefire, the launch of a peace process and, ultimately, an end to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Hamas must release its hostages and Israel must abide by the decisions of the international courts. 
 
The international community, the political leaders and each of us must contribute to an end to the violence, adequate humanitarian access to Gaza and a lasting solution. We must do everything possible to ensure that both Israelis and Palestinians can live a safe life in a region of peace and equal enjoyment of human rights for all. 
 
Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of Turku and Finland 
Kaisamari Hintikka, Bishop of the Diocese of Espoo and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Finn Church Aid 
Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid