Renowned Hollywood figures, including Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, and Susan Sarandon, have penned a letter urging President Joe Biden to intervene for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Released on Friday and organized by artists4ceasefire.org, the letter emphasizes the catastrophic toll of over 5,000 lives lost in the past week and a half. The celebrities call on Biden to facilitate de-escalation, halt the bombing of Gaza, and secure the release of captives held by Hamas.
The letter, signed by more than 70 personalities such as Jessica Chastain, Kristen Stewart, Jeremy Strong, Mark Ruffalo, and Quinta Brunson, condemns the killing of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians, emphasizing the sanctity of all lives regardless of faith or ethnicity.
As tensions escalate, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas following the group's deadliest attacks in decades, leading to relentless air strikes on Gaza.
The plea underscores a moral imperative to save lives, urging not only the Biden administration but all world leaders to honour lives in the Holy Land and expedite a ceasefire.
The conflict has claimed over 4,130 lives in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials, with Hamas's attacks inside Israel resulting in over 1,400 deaths and around 200 people taken captive, according to Israeli authorities.
The situation remains dire, with international pressure intensifying for immediate diplomatic intervention.