Sufi Council Statement on Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
Date: June 3, 2025
The Sufi Council expresses deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The United Nations has described Gaza’s situation as “catastrophic” and the worst since the war began (1). We are profoundly troubled by the grave loss of life and suffering endured by civilian communities – men, women, and children – in this conflict. Reports indicate more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed (many of them civilians) and over 1,100 Israelis since the violence escalated in October 2023, underscoring the urgent need to halt the bloodshed. The Council joins the international community in demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire. We echo United Nations appeals for an urgent humanitarian pause so that life-saving aid can reach those in need (2) (3). The UN has warned that the two-State solution is on “life support” and that only a sustained ceasefire can spare more lives. The Sufi Council therefore urges all parties to cease hostilities at once and protect innocent civilians above all else.
Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians
The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need to shield innocent civilians, particularly children, from the devastating impact of conflict. International law explicitly forbids attacks on civilians and mandates all feasible precautions to minimize harm (4). The Sufi Council therefore calls on all parties to cease hostilities immediately and to allow immediate, unimpeded humanitarian relief. We urge:
- Immediate ceasefire – halting all military operations at once to stop further deaths and suffering.
- Unhindered humanitarian access – full permission for food, water, medicine, fuel and other lifesaving supplies to enter Gaza without delay.
- Protection of civilians and remaining infrastructure – recognizing the widespread destruction in Gaza, prioritize safeguarding any functional facilities and ensure safe corridors for medical staff and aid workers to reach those in need.
- Release of all hostages and missing persons – the unconditional release of detained civilians and full cooperation with impartial agencies to account for the missing (5).
- Compliance with international law – full adherence by every actor to the Geneva Conventions and human rights obligations, including an end to collective punishment and indiscriminate violence.
International aid agencies report that Gaza’s health-care system is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed and basic supplies depleted (6). Since late March, intensified bombardment has killed hundreds and destroyed vital civilian infrastructure, leaving communities without shelter or medical care. By late April, over 420,000 people were newly displaced by the fighting. Women and children now face the added threats of starvation, disease and trauma. This dire humanitarian situation cannot be allowed to worsen. The Council emphasizes that only an immediate ceasefire can save innocent lives and restore a measure of dignity to the people of Gaza.
International Law and Human Rights
International law sets clear rules to protect civilians in wartime. The Geneva Conventions and customary humanitarian law require all parties to distinguish at all times between combatants and civilians. Civilians and civilian objects must never be the target of attack. The occupying power is obliged to ensure the humane treatment of the population and provide for their basic needs (food, water, medical care). Likewise, human rights law affirms that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” (7). All parties are bound to uphold these principles without exception. The Council reminds all actors that collective punishment, forced displacement and arbitrary killing violate fundamental norms and only breed further resentment and suffering. We call on governments and international bodies to enforce these legal protections and pursue accountability for any violations.
Sufi Principles of Peace and Compassion
The Sufi Council speaks from a tradition of faith that prizes peace, compassion and the unity of humankind. In Sufi thought, true spirituality is shown through love of God and love of neighbor. We affirm that all human beings share an inner divine spark and possess immutable rights that transcend borders and creeds. At the heart of every religion is reverence for the innocent. Sufi leaders have declared that indiscriminate killing of civilians is “incompatible with the teachings of all faiths”. We echo the words of our Chairman, Peer Syed Mudassir Shah, who described these tragic events as “a moment of deep reflection on the universal need for peace” and reminded us that “violence in the name of religion is a betrayal of faith itself”. In Sufi understanding, mercy and forgiveness should temper justice. We urge leaders and communities on every side to embody these values: to replace hatred with hope, and to choose dialogue and compassion over enmity. As our Chairman also counseled, “dialogue, not distance, will shape the future of our peoples” (8).
Support for a Two-State Solution
The Sufi Council reaffirms its support for a just and lasting peace through a negotiated two-state solution. We recognize the legitimate rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to security, dignity and self-determination. The international community has long affirmed that two states – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace is the only sustainable path forward. We note that the continued denial of Palestinian statehood and expansion of occupation have only perpetuated cycles of violence and deepened despair. We therefore join the United Nations in calling for all parties to “bury the hatchet” and return to meaningful negotiations. Israel’s security concerns must be addressed in any agreement, and Palestinians must be granted the sovereignty and rights they have long sought. We urge full respect for relevant UN resolutions and immediate measures to halt settlement expansion and the transfer of civilians until a final status agreement is reached. Only by honoring each other’s rights and working through dialogue can both peoples achieve the security and freedom they deserve.
The Sufi Council stands ready to assist and bless any sincere peace initiative. In this critical hour, we appeal to the conscience of all nations: let us spare more innocent lives, uphold the laws that protect the weak, and pursue a path of reconciliation and hope for all. We renew our prayers and support for the people of Gaza, for all victims of this conflict, and for a future in which Palestinians and Israelis live together in peace.