111 humanitarian organizations call for an end to war and famine in Gaza

In a joint statement, international organizations including Mercy Corps, Refugees International (both based in the US), and the Norwegian Refugee Council warned of mass famine across the Gaza Strip, while tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, and other essential materials remain stockpiled outside the territory, with humanitarian groups barred from entering or delivering aid.

The statement noted that while the Israeli government’s blockade is starving Gaza’s population, aid workers are now queuing for food themselves and risking gunfire just to feed their families.

It added, “The restrictions imposed by the Israeli government, along with delays and fragmentation under the comprehensive blockade, have created conditions of chaos, famine, and death.”

The organizations called on the world governments to lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions, open all land crossings, ensure unrestricted access to all areas of Gaza, reject aid distribution controlled by the Israeli military, and restore a “principled humanitarian response led by the United Nations.”

The statement also urged all countries to take concrete measures to end the blockade, including halting arms and ammunition transfers to Israel.

The Norwegian Refugee Council stated on Tuesday that aid stocks in Gaza had been completely depleted, and some of its staff are now starving. It accused Israel of paralyzing its operations.