Calls for a ceasefire during the Israel–Hamas war



During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, calls for a ceasefire have been a common feature of international reactions to the conflict. Many international actors perceived an urgent need for a ceasefire due to the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the increasing death toll of civilians, primarily due to the Israeli blockade and invasion of the Gaza Strip. Notably, the leaders of some European governments that generally support Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict were among the voices calling for a ceasefire, including France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, alongside Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Debates over the impact and timing of a ceasefire became a prominent part of domestic political discourse in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, whose governments have instead called for "humanitarian pauses" to the current fighting. As of 11 November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to reject calls for a ceasefire, while on 13 November, a spokesman for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades offered to release 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day truce and ceasefire.

Africa

 * : In February 2024, Algeria put forward a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages. On 20 February, thirteen members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of the resolution. However, it was vetoed by the United States.

Americas

 * 🇧🇷 Brazil: As early as 11 October, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on X that "An international humanitarian intervention is urgently needed... A ceasefire is urgently needed in defense of Israeli and Palestinian children."
 * 🇩🇲 Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit condemned the conflict, calling it "abhorrent."
 * : The government issued a statement condemning Hamas for the attacks, expressed solidarity with the people of Israel and made a call for a ceasefire. However, on 3 November, Honduras recalled its ambassador to Israel citing violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
 * 🇺🇸 United States:
 * Hawaii: The Hawai'i State Senate became the first legislative body in the United States to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The bill reads "members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are urged to insist that the Biden Administration call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza."

Asia

 * 🇦🇫 Afghanistan: Voted in favor of UN resolutions ES-10/21 and ES-10/22, both of which called for an immediate ceasefire.
 * The Foreign Ministry issued a press statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and solving the conflict with dialogue and diplomacy. It condemned the armed conflict, expressed deep concern over the "tragic loss of civilian lives", and urged both sides to "exercise maximum refrainment".
 * 🇨🇳: On 20 October, President Xi Jinping met with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and was quoted as saying "The top priority now is a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control and causing a serious humanitarian crisis".
 * 🇵🇰: The Foreign Office issued a statement urging an immediate ceasefire and a return to peaceful negotiations, stating that they were "closely monitoring the unfolding situation". Pakistan reiterated its position that the solution to the conflict was a two-state solution, including the establishment of a viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
 * : The Foreign Ministry called for an immediate ceasefire. Later it condemned Hamas for its "serious and grave escalation" and its hostage taking.
 * Vietnam: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng stated that Vietnam "strongly condemns acts of violence against civilians, humanitarian facilities, and essential infrastructure in the Middle East conflict", while calling on both parties to "immediately cease fire, end the use of force, respect international humanitarian law, resume negotiations, and resolve differences through peaceful means."

Europe

 * 🇦🇱: On 9 November 2023, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that "A negotiated cessation of active hostilities is imperative", while still clarifying that "Albania stands firm with Israel against Hamas".
 * 🇫🇷: On 10 November 2023, President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire and urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians.
 * 🇷🇺: By 13 October, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia was calling for a "humanitarian cease-fire".
 * : The government condemned the attacks and asked for all parties to work toward a peaceful resolution. It also "underlined that de-escalation is the priority" and "called on those responsible to do everything possible to bring about a ceasefire and avoid a regional escalation."
 * 🇹🇷: On 4 November, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel "in view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel's refusal (to accept) a ceasefire."

Oceania

 * 🇦🇺: On 22 March 2024, Australia and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Responses in Israel and Gaza
As of 11 November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to reject calls for a ceasefire, while on 13 November, a spokesman for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades offered to release 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day truce and ceasefire.

On 6 May 2024, Hamas accepted the terms of a ceasefire brokered by Egypt and Qatar.

Public figures calling for a ceasefire
In addition to governments, many public figures, including entertainers and politicians, have called for a ceasefire.

Actors

 * Alia Shawkat
 * Alyssa Milano
 * Amanda Seales
 * Amber Tamblyn
 * America Ferrera
 * Andrew Garfield
 * Aria Mia Loberti
 * Ayo Edebiri
 * Bonnie Wright
 * Cate Blanchett
 * Channing Tatum
 * David Cross
 * David Oyelowo
 * Dominique Fishback
 * Dominique Thorne
 * Hasan Minhaj
 * Hend Sabry
 * Indya Moore
 * Jeremy Strong
 * Jessica Chastain
 * Jessie Buckley
 * Joaquin Phoenix
 * Kristen Stewart
 * Mahershala Ali
 * Margaret Cho
 * Mark Ruffalo
 * May Calamawy
 * Michael Malarkey
 * Michael Shannon
 * Oscar Isaac
 * Quinta Brunson
 * Rachel Sennott
 * Ramy Youssef
 * Riz Ahmed
 * Rooney Mara
 * Rosario Dawson
 * Rowan Blanchard
 * Sandra Oh
 * Shailene Woodley
 * Susan Sarandon
 * Taylour Paige
 * Wallace Shawn
 * Yara Shahidi

Authors

 * Fatima Farheen Mirza

Comedians

 * Bassem Youssef
 * Ilana Glazer
 * Jon Stewart
 * Michelle Wolf
 * Mo Amer
 * Wanda Sykes

Film directors

 * Bassam Tariq
 * Cherien Dabis
 * Darius Marder
 * Elvira Lind
 * James Schamus
 * Michael Moore
 * Ryan Coogler
 * Sebastian Silva
 * Shaka King

Musicians

 * Ani DiFranco
 * Anoushka Shankar
 * Belly
 * Caroline Polachek
 * Dev Hynes
 * Diplo
 * Dua Lipa
 * Elyanna
 * Florence Pugh
 * Kehlani
 * Macklemore
 * Michael Stipe
 * Miguel
 * Natalie Merchant
 * Raveena Aurora
 * Tommy Genesis
 * Vic Mensa
 * Victoria Monét

Politicians

 * Keir Starmer
 * Rishi Sunak
 * Alma Adams
 * Tammy Baldwin
 * Becca Balint
 * Michael Bennet
 * Don Beyer
 * Cory Booker
 * Earl Blumenauer
 * Chris Coons
 * Sanford Bishop
 * Tammy Duckworth
 * Suzanne Bonamici
 * Dick Durbin
 * Jamaal Bowman
 * Martin Heinrich
 * Cori Bush
 * John Hickenlooper
 * Tony Cárdenas
 * Mazie Hirono
 * André Carson
 * Tim Kaine
 * Troy Carter
 * Mark Kelly
 * Greg Casar
 * Angus King
 * Joaquin Castro
 * Ben Ray Luján
 * Judy Chu
 * Ed Markey
 * Emanuel Cleaver
 * Jeff Merkley
 * Steve Cohen
 * Chris Murphy
 * Gerry Connolly
 * Patty Murray
 * Jason Crow
 * Jon Ossoff
 * Diana DeGette
 * Jack Reed
 * Chris Deluzio
 * Jeanne Shaheen
 * Mark DeSaulnier
 * Tina Smith
 * Debbie Dingell
 * Christopher Van Hollen
 * Lloyd Doggett
 * Mark Warner
 * Veronica Escobar
 * Raphael Warnock
 * Valerie Foushee
 * Elizabeth Warren
 * Maxwell Frost
 * Peter Welch
 * John Garamendi
 * Jesús "Chuy" Garcia
 * Robert Garcia
 * Jimmy Gomez
 * Al Green
 * Raúl Grijalva
 * Josh Harder
 * Chrissy Houlahan
 * Jared Huffman
 * Jonathan Jackson
 * Sara Jacobs
 * Pramila Jayapal
 * Hank Johnson Jr.
 * Ro Khanna
 * Dan Kildee
 * Greg Landsman
 * Barbara Lee
 * Summer Lee
 * Teresa Leger Fernández
 * Zoe Lofgren
 * Stephen Lynch
 * Seth Magaziner
 * Betty McCollum
 * Morgan McGarvey
 * James P. McGovern
 * Kweisi Mfume
 * Jerrold Nadler
 * Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
 * Ilhan Omar
 * Donald Payne Jr.
 * Dean Phillips
 * Chellie Pingree
 * Mark Pocan
 * Ayanna Pressley
 * Pat Ryan
 * Jamie Raskin
 * Delia Ramirez
 * Mary Gay Scanlon
 * Jan Schakowsky
 * Kim Schrier
 * Terri Sewell
 * Brad Sherman
 * Mikie Sherrill
 * Melanie Stansbury
 * Elissa Slotkin
 * Mark Takano
 * Bennie Thompson
 * Rashida Tlaib
 * Paul Tonko
 * Lauren Underwood
 * Gabe Vasquez
 * Nydia Velázquez
 * Maxine Waters
 * Bonnie Watson Coleman
 * Jennifer Wexton
 * Susan Wild
 * Nikema Williams

Religious

 * World Council of Churches