International Labor Organization Commits to Aid Communities Affected by Israel-Hamas Conflict

GENEVA: The International Labor Organization (ILO) has announced plans to extend aid to communities impacted by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

According to a new release by Philippines News Agency, Director-General Gilbert Houngbo made the announcement on Saturday. “The ILO stands ready to continue working with other UN agencies, the international community, and our partners to assist and support the impacted communities, within the terms of our mandate,” Houngbo stated in a press release. The ILO is currently focusing on emergency assistance for Palestinian workers who are experiencing harsh living conditions. The organization is also in the process of developing a program centered on social protection, skills enhancement, job creation, and small business recovery.

Houngbo specifically mentioned concerns about the status of at least 20,000 daily Gazan workers in Israel. The ILO Director-General also disapproved of the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, which resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and at least 200 abductions of Israeli and international civilians. Furthermore, Houngbo denounced the loss of life in Gaza, including UN staff, due to Israeli military actions in response to these attacks.

“The hostilities have resulted in—and continue to cause—not only tragic loss of human life but also an unprecedented loss of livelihoods, jobs, income, businesses, and civilian infrastructure, with a devastating impact on labor markets in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel,” Houngbo added.

Since the conflict erupted on October 7, more than 7,000 people, including children, have been killed in the armed conflict between Hamas and Israeli military forces.