Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will. Wars destroy. Peace builds. But in today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act.  It is humanity’s greatest responsibility. That responsibility belongs to us all – individually and collectively. In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations. Starting here. Starting now. For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace.

The role of the international community is clear. We must unite to support Israelis and Palestinians to take determined actions to advance a meaningful peace process. Over recent decades, the two-state solution has been traduced, undermined and left for dead many times. However, it remains the only way to achieve durable and equitable peace in Israel, in Palestine, and in the region. As the events of the past three months have tragically reminded us, it is also the only way to avoid endless cycles of fear, hatred and violence.

We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. To ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed. To facilitate the release of the hostages. To tamp down the flames of wider war because the longer the conflict in Gaza continues, the greater the risk of escalation and miscalculation. We cannot see in Lebanon what we are seeing in Gaza. And we cannot allow what has been happening in Gaza to continue.

As the conflict intensifies and the horror grows, we will continue to do our part. We will not give up. But at the same time, it is imperative that the international community speak with one voice: for peace, for the protection of civilians, for an end to suffering, and for a commitment to the two-state solution – backed with action.

International humanitarian law includes the duty to protect civilians and to comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. The laws of war also demand that civilians’ essential needs must be met, including by facilitating the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief. International humanitarian law cannot be applied selectively. It is binding on all parties equally at all times, and the obligation to observe it does not depend on reciprocity.