Gaza - Saba:
More than 100 relief and human rights organizations called on governments on Wednesday to take action as hunger spreads in Gaza, including demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and lifting all restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid.
In a statement signed by 111 organizations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Refugees International, the organizations warned of widespread famine across the Strip as tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, and other items are piling up outside Gaza, with humanitarian organizations prevented from entering or delivering aid.
"As the Israeli government's blockade starves Gaza's people, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now completely depleted, humanitarian organizations are seeing their colleagues and partners wither away before their eyes," the organizations said in their statement.
The statement added, "The restrictions imposed by the Israeli government, and the delays and fragmentation it practices under the comprehensive blockade, have created chaos, famine, and death."
The organizations called on governments to "lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions, open all land crossings, ensure universal access to all parts of Gaza, reject distribution controlled by the Israeli occupation army, and restore a principled humanitarian response led by the United Nations."
The statement read, "States must seek concrete measures to end the blockade, such as halting the transfer of arms and ammunition."
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