Padilla seeks ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian access in Gaza

A man sits on the rubble overlooking the debris of buildings that were targeted by Israeli airstrikes in the Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, November 1, 2023. (File photo from AP/Abed Khaled)

MANILA, Philippines — A resolution calling for sustained ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza has been filed by Senator Robin Padilla.

This action is in light of the conflict between Israel and Hamas

In his proposed Senate resolution, Padilla said the war has led to the deaths of around 17,000 people, approximately 6,700 of them were children.

“No less than the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphatically underscored: This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum,” the document read.

“The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year-long occupation and no political end in sight,” it noted.

“It’s time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred, and polarization,” the resolution stated.

War between Israel and militant group Hamas began on October 7.

Data from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) showed four Filipinos have died from the conflict.

In October, Philippines abstained from voting in a UN resolution calling for Israel-Hamas “humanitarian truce.”

DFA said Philippines would have voted in favor of the measure, had it mentioned and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.