Palestinian civil society, alongside global humanitarian and human rights organizations, has issued an urgent call to address the severe famine conditions in Gaza. The groups emphasize that the international community must act decisively and immediately to prevent further suffering.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with over two million Palestinians experiencing famine due to a blockade on humanitarian supplies since March 2, 2025. UNICEF and OCHA have reported significant destruction of farmland, restricted access to fishing waters, closure of bakeries and community kitchens, depletion of food supplies, and severe water shortages amid ongoing bombardment. A staggering 92 percent of children under two and breastfeeding mothers are not receiving adequate nutrition.
UNRWA and the World Food Programme have depleted their reserves as Israel continues to dismantle the UN-run aid distribution system. On April 11, 2025, the Palestinian NGO Network declared that Gaza had entered an advanced stage of famine. This was followed by an official declaration from the State of Palestine designating Gaza as a famine zone and calling for urgent international intervention under Article 99 of the UN Charter.
Despite available resources—over 3,000 aid trucks and 116,000 metric tonnes of food ready for delivery—access is blocked by Israel. This situation persists despite binding legal orders from international bodies such as the International Court of Justice.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized: “Aid is non-negotiable…. The entry of assistance must be restored immediately…. There must be no hindrance in humanitarian aid.. This is not a time for ritualistically expressing support, ticking a box, and moving on.”
On April 29, 2025, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned about the potential collapse of life-saving support: “Third States have clear obligations under international law to ensure that such conduct stops immediately, and they must act accordingly.”
The coalition calls for immediate organization and deployment of a Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy through the Rafah Crossing into Gaza. They urge states to dispatch official diplomatic missions at high levels to accompany these aid efforts. Additionally, they request coordination with the United Nations and Egypt’s government to facilitate safe passage for humanitarian aid.
They also encourage media outlets to document this crisis while urging global civil society—including NGOs, trade unions, student groups—to mobilize pressure on governments supporting this convoy initiative.
This appeal rests on international law principles outlined in various conventions including those from UN bodies like OIC (Organization Islamic Cooperation), Arab League among others aiming towards ending starvation weaponization against civilians globally recognized under Genocide Convention provisions etcetera emphasizing shared morality across nations worldwide calling upon them now more than ever before:
“Let Gaza Live. End Starvation; End Siege; Open Crossings; Launch Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy – NOW.”
