Oxfam calls Israel-Hamas deal temporary fix, urges diplomatic action for long-term peace

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - UK charity, Oxfam, characterized a recent Israel-Hamas deal as "a Band-Aid to a bleeding wound," and urged diplomatic action Wednesday for long-term peace.

Oxfam Head of Policy and Advocacy, Katy Chakrabortty, stressed the need for the international community to commit to "the hard work towards peace for all Israelis and Palestinians."

"It would be an optimism to see this as the beginnings of a road toward a permanent ceasefire – but that looks distant without concerted diplomatic pressure," she said.

"This pause of the relentless bombing and destruction that is causing such suffering to more than 2 million Palestinians is a welcome respite for the delivery of some humanitarian aid – but no more than that," she said.

Chakrabortty emphasized that the next four days would be focused on an emergency effort to provide limited relief but warned it would be insufficient to address the widespread suffering and destruction.

She described the current situation as a band-aid that would be "ripped off a bleeding wound after four days."

Oxfam's statement outlined the necessary elements of diplomatic efforts, calling for action on the core issues of the conflict.

This includes "ending Israel’s prolonged military occupation of Palestinian territory and the blockade on Gaza while also securing the release of all hostages."

Israel and Hamas announced a humanitarian pause agreement for hostage exchange early Wednesday.

Under the Qatar-mediated agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, Israeli media reported.

The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.

The agreement allows an extension of the pause and the potential release of more children and women held by the two sides.

Israel estimates that at least 239 Israelis are being held by Hamas following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing more than 14,128 Palestinians, including 5,840 children and 3,920 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.