PRESS STATEMENT
The Commission of the African Union continues to follow with great concern the worsening and unbearable humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestine Territory particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip. The Commission further maintains its strong condemnation of the ongoing intolerable air raids and onslaughts on the Gaza Strip by Israel, which have resulted so far in the death of more than 1000 Palestinians, while more than 4000 have been injured, including innocent women and children. The Commission recalls the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution No. 1860, which among other important provisions, called for “an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire” and “the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment”. The Commission urges Israel to comply fully with the UN Security Council Resolution, cease its massive attacks against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, by lifting the siege and ending the wanton destruction of life and property. The Commission further calls upon the international community to exert the necessary efforts for an effective implementation of this Resolution aiming to reach an end to all military activities and to bring all parties back to the path of peace guided by current diplomatic efforts, including the Egyptian Initiative. Moreover, the Commission stresses the urgency of continued efforts by the international community and relevant UN organs and specialized agencies to effectively address the humanitarian, socio-economic and security ramifications of the crisis which by all accounts has exacerbated the severe humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestine Territory and undermined international efforts towards achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. Addis Ababa, 15 January 2009 http://www.africa- union.org/ root/au/Conferen ces/2009/ january/pr/ PRESS%20STATEMEN T%20-%20% 20GAZA%2015- 01-09.doc
