Human Rights First Condemns Man-Made Starvation in Gaza and Urges Unrestricted, UN-Led Aid Efforts to Replace Lethal, Militarized Model That Weaponizes Hunger
Washington D.C.— In response to surging malnutrition-related deaths and famine-like conditions in Gaza, Human Rights First condemns sustained Israeli government restrictions on desperately needed food and medical aid, clean water, and commercial traffic that inflicted a man-made and entirely preventable starvation crisis as a weapon of war against over two million Palestinian civilians. The organization implores the U.S. government to press for, and the Israeli government to ensure: immediate, unimpeded UN-led aid distribution; a ceasefire that is critical for scaling up aid; shuttering the failed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and instead supporting professional aid groups that uphold humanitarian principles; and accountability for the firing on and killing of aid-seeking civilians by state and non-state actors.
Human Rights First further decries Israeli forces’ reported killing of over 1,000 civilians seeking food since the Israel- and U.S.-backed GHF took over aid distribution from the UN in May. The fatally flawed, militarized effort reduced aid distribution points from over 400 to four. This devastating human toll, combined with recent whistleblower and media revelations of alleged targeting of unarmed Palestinians with live fire by GHF security contractors, affirms why U.S. government support for the GHF must be terminated and robust Congressional oversight is necessary.
“Mass starvation in Gaza shocks the conscience. But it is an entirely foreseeable and preventable outcome of draconian aid restrictions and policies by the Israeli government that will not be remediated by airdrops or a handful of militarized aid hubs that forcibly displace and harm already starving civilians,” said Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya.
She added, “Families in Gaza today face an impossible choice: starve to death, or be shot or trampled to death trying to feed their children. The international community, led by the United States, must exercise maximum leverage to press Israel to allow full, unhindered, UN-led humanitarian access and distribution, and end the failed GHF disaster. Failure to do so could result in further unthinkable and preventable atrocity crimes that demand international accountability. There must also be swift investigation and accountability for the firing on and killing of civilians seeking aid by state and non-state actors.”
Human Rights First reiterates its prior calls for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza and release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained civilians.
