Beirut, October 15, 2023 - An urgent appeal to the international community to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to them. International and global human rights organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have condemned the actions taken by Israeli authorities against civilians in Gaza, actions that violate international humanitarian law.
Israeli authorities have imposed a strict blockade that threatens the lives of nearly two million civilian people in the Gaza Strip for approximately a week. Israeli authorities have cut off water, electricity, fuel, and food from them as a form of collective punishment, prevented the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid, and hindered the efforts of international humanitarian organizations.
In addition to that, Israeli authorities have carried out intense and indiscriminate military attacks, targeting civilian-inhabited homes, resulting in thousands of casualties and injuries, including children, women, the elderly, and the sick. These military attacks have also targeted humanitarian workers, journalists, and hospitals. All of this is being reported by neutral media outlets that are covering the developments firsthand, in addition to reports from humanitarian and human rights organizations.
UNRWA has stated that humanitarian supplies have not been allowed into Gaza for a week now. We demand the lifting of the blockade on humanitarian aid and the provision of fuel transportation.
In the past hours, Israeli officials have spoken about the continuation of the war on Gaza, relying on international support they receive from major countries, including the European Union and the United States.
Are Israeli authorities using this support to commit crimes against innocent civilians, including children, women, the elderly, the sick, journalists, and humanitarian workers? These actions contradict the humanitarian, ethical, and legal values and principles upheld by the international community, the European Union, and whenever necessary.
Therefore, I appeal to you, on humanitarian grounds, not to abandon innocent civilians and not to allow the undermining of your humanitarian mission that aims to protect rights, freedoms, and lives, regardless of belief or affiliation. I implore you to do everything in your power to ensure the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid, including medicine, food, water, and medical supplies, urgently, including fuel, and the protection of hospitals.
I thank you for your dedicated efforts to protect human rights and lives. I hope that you will stand up for the reality of the situation and take action.