“We, the leaders of 15 humanitarian organizations and the United Nations, once again urge all parties fighting in Gaza to protect civilians and call on the State of Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and the humanitarians who are trying to help,” write the signatories of the declaration (see list of signatories below).
According to them, the situation in northern Gaza is “apocalyptic”. “The area has been under siege for almost a month, deprived of basic aid and vital supplies while bombings and other attacks continue. In the past few days alone, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and thousands have been forcibly displaced once again,” they point out.
“Hospitals were almost completely cut off from supplies and came under attack, killing patients, destroying vital equipment and disrupting emergency services. Health workers and patients were detained. Fights also reportedly took place inside hospitals,” they add. “Dozens of schools serving as shelters were bombed or forcibly evacuated. Tents sheltering displaced families were bombed and people were burned alive. “Rescue teams were deliberately attacked and prevented in their attempts to rescue people from the rubble of their homes.”
According to these senior humanitarian officials, the needs of women and girls are overwhelming and increasing every day.
“We have lost touch with those we support and those who provide essential life-saving services around sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. We have received reports that civilians have been targeted while trying to reach safety, and men and boys have been arrested and taken to unknown locations to be detained,” they point out.
Jabalia health center destroyed in Gaza
Risk of starvation
Senior humanitarian officials also said that the entire Palestinian population in northern Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence.
“Humanitarian aid cannot meet the scale of the needs due to access constraints. Basic life-saving goods are not available. Humanitarians cannot do their work safely and are prevented by Israeli forces and insecurity from reaching people in need,” they said in their joint statement.
A further blow to the humanitarian response, the polio vaccination campaign was delayed due to the fighting, endangering the lives of children in the region.
They also note that this week the Israeli Parliament passed a law that would ban the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) and revoke its privileges and immunities.
“If implemented, such measures would be a catastrophe for the humanitarian response in Gaza, diametrically opposed to the United Nations Charter, with potentially disastrous consequences for the human rights of millions of Palestinians who depend on aid from UNRWA, and in violation of Israel's obligations under international law. Let us be very clear: there is no alternative to UNRWA,” they say.
Gazans queue for food.
Attacks on civilians must stop
The fifteen senior humanitarian officials affirm that “the blatant disregard for fundamental humanity and the laws of war must end” and “international humanitarian law, including the rules of distinction, proportionality and precaution, must be respected”.
“Attacks on civilians and what remains of civilian infrastructure in Gaza must stop. Humanitarian assistance must be facilitated and we urge all parties to ensure unhindered access to those affected. Additionally, commercial goods must be allowed to enter Gaza. The injured and sick must receive the care they need. Medical staff and hospitals must be spared. Hospitals must not turn into battlefields. Palestinians illegally detained must be released,” they add.
They believe that Israel must comply with the interim orders and decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups must release the hostages immediately and unconditionally and must comply with international humanitarian law.
“Member states must use their influence to ensure respect for international law. This includes suspending arms transfers when there is a clear risk that these weapons will be used in violation of international law,” they conclude. “The whole region is on the edge of the precipice. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a lasting and unconditional ceasefire are long overdue.”
An UNRWA worker prepares food for distribution in Gaza (file photo).
The signatories of the declaration
- Joyce Msuya, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
- Nimo Hassan, MBE, President of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
- Jamie Munn, Executive Director of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
- Amy E. Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam
- Paula Gaviria Betancur, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
- Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat)
- Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Agency for Sexual and Reproductive Health, UNFPA
- Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women
- Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP)
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
