During a Meeting with Foreign Diplomatic Missions: ICHR and its Partners Call for Immediate Action to Stop Starvation and Genocide in Gaza

Today, the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), along with the Palestinian NGO Network and the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council, called on representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Palestine to take immediate and decisive action to push for a permanent ceasefire, protect civilians, end the inhumane Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, and ensure the continuous and dignified delivery of humanitarian and relief aid in a way that preserves the rights and dignity of the civilian population.

This call came during a meeting held today at ICHR’s headquarters in Ramallah, with the participation of representatives from civil society and human rights organizations, and with remote connection to the city of Gaza.

Dr. Ammar Dweik, Director General of the Independent Commission, who moderated the meeting, emphasized that what is happening in Gaza is not merely a humanitarian crisis but rather a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against civilians. He noted that 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza face the risk of famine due to a systematic starvation policy imposed by the occupying power. He stressed that the use of starvation as a weapon constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, including the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions, pointing to a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018), which condemns the use of starvation as a method of warfare and calls for accountability.

For his part, Mr. Amjad Shawa, Director of the Palestinian NGO Network, warned of the total collapse of the healthcare sector and the inability of hospitals to accommodate the increasing number of injured people, amidst an acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies. He also pointed to the worsening famine, the spread of epidemics due to the accumulation of waste, blocked access to landfills, and the severe shortage of vaccines, especially for children.

Shawa stressed that the goal of the proposed Israeli-American plan for aid distribution is to forcibly displace the population under the guise of humanitarian work, calling for a clear and firm rejection of the plan. He emphasized that stopping the genocide requires the imposition of sanctions and real accountability for the occupying power.

Ms. Amal Siyam, Director of the Women’s Affairs Center, highlighted the tragic conditions experienced by women in Gaza, stressing that mothers are unable to feed their children, and that the most basic healthcare services are unavailable. She pointed out that pregnant women and newborns are among the most affected by severe malnutrition, amid a lack of medical privacy and the unavailability of essential supplies, warning that the famine is causing a slow death that disproportionately affects women.

Ahlam Suboh, representing the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center, addressed the deep frustration and despair among Palestinian youth due to the lack of political horizon and loss of trust in international law and institutions. She emphasized the urgent need for immediate international action to prevent further disillusionment and abandonment of the Palestinian people.

During the discussion, representatives of the diplomatic missions presented their interventions, reviewing their governments’ efforts to fulfill their international legal obligations. Several representatives confirmed that some of the demands raised had already been addressed, while others expressed willingness to follow up on the remaining demands, including efforts to stop the genocide in Gaza, deliver medical and humanitarian aid, and address famine and malnutrition.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Mr. Issam Aruri, Commissioner General of the Independent Commission, who reaffirmed the necessity for the international community to take urgent and comprehensive measures to end the famine in Gaza, save lives, ensure accountability, and prevent impunity.

ICHR, along with the Palestinian NGO Network and the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council, called on representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Palestine to take immediate and decisive measures to push for a permanent ceasefire, protect civilians, end the inhumane Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, and ensure the sustained and dignified delivery of humanitarian and relief aid in a manner that upholds the rights and dignity of the civilian population.

This came during the meeting held earlier today at the Commission’s headquarters in Ramallah, with the participation of representatives from civil society and human rights organizations, and with remote attendance from Gaza. Joint Urgent  Appeal