Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef wear red pins for Israel-Gaza ceasefire on Oscars red carpet

As the awards season comes to a conclusion with Sunday night's 2024 Oscars, celebrities are using their platforms to raise awareness for the Israel-Gaza war.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell – who won the best original song Oscar for the "Barbie" soundtrack's "What Was I Made For?" – "Origin" director Ava DuVernay, Mahershala Ali and "Poor Things" stars Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo were among the stars who sported red Artists4Ceasefire pins on the Academy Awards red carpet.

"We're calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We're calling for peace and justice – lasting justice – for the people of Palestine. And I think it's a universal message of just: Let's stop killing kids. Let's not be part of more war," Youssef told Variety.

"Four Daughters" director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha, who are nominated for best documentary, also donned the pin.

Last fall, Youssef, DuVernay and Ruffalo were among several hundred actors, comedians and musicians who signed Artists4Ceasefire's open letter to President Joe Biden, which called for "the safe return of all the hostages and immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza."

"We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost," the letter read. "We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity and we condemn the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians."

Oscars highlights: Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins best supporting actress and our hearts

Protestors call for ceasefire outside the 2024 Oscars, snarling traffic

As these celebrities showed their activism on the red carpet, out on the streets of Hollywood, protesters interrupted traffic as they called for a Gaza ceasefire.

"No red carpet during genocide," read one sign among dozens speaking out about the conflict. They waved Palestinian flags, set off red smoke bombs and chanted as a smaller group of demonstrators waved signs that read "Fear God."

In his State of the Union last week, Biden called for Israel to "do its part" to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. "Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip," Biden said. "Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority."

The Biden administration's efforts to secure a six-week pause in Israel's war against Hamas that would include the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza has stalled, lacking support from Hamas.

To help transport more aid into Gaza, Biden announced the U.S. military will launch an emergency mission to build a port on the Gaza coast along the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. military personnel will assist from vessels offshore, but the operation would not involve U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza, he said.

In December, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. and Israel among the few countries that voted against the resolution.

Since Israeli forces launched an offensive in Gaza following Hamas' surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed at least 1,300 people, more than 31,000 Palestinians have died – 70% of them women and children – according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel says it has killed 13,000 Hamas militants and blames the civilian deaths on militants using them as human shields.

More than 100 people are still being held hostage by Hamas.

What's the meaning behind the red lapel pin at the 2024 Oscars?

The red pins feature the outline of a hand with a heart in the middle.

According to an Artists4Ceasefure press release shared on Saturday, the accessory "symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

"Artists4Ceasefire stands for a future rooted in freedom, justice, dignity and peace for all people. Compassion must prevail."

Contributing: Amanda Myers, John Bacon and Joey Garrison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oscars red pins worn by Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef for Gaza ceasefire