Report on Calls for Peace and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Urgent Appeal for Peace and De-escalation Aligned with SDG 16

A recent press conference, led by the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee in Israel Chairman Mohammad Barakeh and prominent Arab-Israeli MKs, issued a series of demands concerning the conflict in Gaza. The primary points raised are directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning peace and human welfare.

• An immediate end to the war in Gaza was demanded. This call directly supports SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which fundamentally seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates (Target 16.1).
• The appeal included a call for the withdrawal of the IDF from the Strip. This action is presented as a critical step toward de-escalation and the restoration of local governance, which are foundational elements for achieving the objectives of SDG 16.

Demand for Unrestricted Humanitarian Aid to Uphold Core SDGs

A significant emphasis was placed on the necessity of humanitarian intervention, linking directly to several key SDGs focused on human dignity and well-being.

1. Addressing SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The call for an unrestricted flow of food is a direct effort to combat hunger and malnutrition, aligning with the goal of ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people.
2. Upholding SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The demand for medications and the fulfillment of basic needs are vital for preventing disease, treating the injured, and maintaining a basic level of public health in a crisis zone.
3. Supporting SDG 1: No Poverty: The provision of comprehensive humanitarian aid serves as a critical measure to alleviate the extreme poverty and destitution caused by the conflict, offering a basic safety net for a vulnerable population.

The collective demands underscore the principle that sustainable development is impossible without peace and the fulfillment of basic human rights. The appeal highlights the severe regression of SDG targets within the conflict zone and advocates for immediate actions to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The following SDGs are relevant to the article:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The call for the “unrestricted free flow of humanitarian aid – food” directly addresses the need to combat hunger and ensure food security for the population in Gaza, which is a core objective of this goal.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The demand for “medications” as part of the humanitarian aid is directly linked to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being, especially for a population affected by conflict.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The primary call to “immediately end the war in Gaza” and “withdraw the IDF from the Strip” is a direct appeal for peace, the reduction of violence, and the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, which is the central theme of SDG 16.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article’s demand for “food” for the people in Gaza directly relates to this target, as a population in a conflict zone is considered highly vulnerable.
2. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The call for “medications” and aid addresses the acute health risks faced by the population in Gaza due to the war, which constitutes a major humanitarian and health crisis.
3. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The call to “immediately end the war” is a direct effort to achieve this target by stopping the violence and preventing further deaths in Gaza.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators for measuring progress:

• For Target 2.1 (End Hunger): The article implies an indicator related to humanitarian access. Progress could be measured by the volume and frequency of food aid deliveries entering Gaza. The call for an “unrestricted free flow” suggests that the current state is restricted, making the level of restriction a key metric.
• For Target 3.d (Manage Health Risks): The demand for “medications” implies an indicator related to the availability and accessibility of essential medicines and medical supplies within Gaza. An increase in the unrestricted supply would indicate progress.
• For Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): The call to “end the war” and “withdraw the IDF” implies direct indicators of progress, such as a cessation of hostilities, a formal ceasefire, and a reduction in conflict-related casualties (deaths and injuries). The withdrawal of military forces is also a clear, measurable indicator.

Source: haaretz.com