The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) has strongly condemned the ongoing crimes and violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the catastrophe inflicted on Gaza since the escalation of the Israeli offensive in October 2023 has created an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, leaving thousands dead, families devastated, and widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure.
The Federation stressed that Palestinian children have paid the heaviest price for this tragedy. According to UNICEF, at least 21,700 children had been reported killed in the Gaza Strip as of 30 June 2026, while tens of thousands more have been injured. These figures reflect the devastating scale of the humanitarian catastrophe facing Gaza’s children, who continue to be deprived of their most basic rights to life, safety, education, and healthcare.
The Federation emphasized that the tragedy extends far beyond the number of those killed and injured. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have lost their homes and livelihoods, workers have been deprived of their jobs and sources of income, and families are struggling to survive amid severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine, fuel, and shelter materials, alongside continued restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The Federation stated that the targeting of civilians, the suffering endured by children, women, patients, and older people, and the destruction of essential infrastructure demand immediate and effective international action. It called for accountability, an end to impunity, and effective protection of the Palestinian people’s right to life, dignity, and to remain on their land.
In this context, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, United Nations bodies, human rights organizations, and regional and international trade union federations, calling for immediate action to stop the aggression and violations, lift the blockade, and ensure the unrestricted opening of crossings for humanitarian and medical assistance, fuel, and shelter supplies. It also called for rejecting all plans of forced displacement and ensuring the protection of civilians.
The Federation further called for support for international accountability efforts, protection of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, guarantees for the continued operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and the launch of an urgent international reconstruction plan for Gaza, led by Palestinian hands and ensuring the participation of Palestinian workers through decent employment opportunities and social protection.
The Federation stressed that the responsibility of the international trade union movement must go beyond statements of solidarity and translate into practical measures and effective pressure on governments and international institutions, in defence of Palestinian lives, workers’ rights and dignity, and the resilience of Palestinian families in Gaza.
The Federation concluded by emphasizing that Gaza needs no more promises or statements, but genuine international action to save lives and end the suffering. True solidarity with the Palestinian people must be translated into concrete humanitarian, trade union, and political action.
SAVE GAZA. STOP THE AGGRESSION, BLOCKADE, STARVATION AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT. PROTECT PALESTINIAN CHILDREN, WORKERS AND FAMILIES.
Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU)
