Palestinian civil society, joined by humanitarian and human rights organisations worldwide, issues this urgent and unified call: The manufactured famine in Gaza must be halted. The international community must act decisively, immediately, and with full moral and legal responsibility.

We are witnessing, in real time, the deliberate starvation of a civilian population as a method of warfare. Over two million Palestinians in Gaza are living in famine. Since 2 March 2025, Israel has blocked all humanitarian supplies and life-saving assistance - constituting the longest total siege Gaza has ever experienced. UNICEF and OCHA have sounded the alarm: in Gaza, farmland has been destroyed, fishing waters are off-limits, bakeries and community kitchens are shutting down, food has run out, and people are fighting over water amid relentless bombardment. Children are “going to bed starving.” 92% of children under two and breastfeeding mothers are not receiving adequate nutrition. Hospitals have run out of blood, and those burned in explosions are left with no water to save them. 

UNRWA and the World Food Programme have exhausted their reserves, while Israel moves to dismantle the existing UN-run aid distribution system. On 11 April 2025, the Palestinian NGO Network declared that Gaza had entered an advanced stage of famine. This was followed by an official declaration from the State of Palestine designating the Gaza Strip as a famine zone and calling for urgent international intervention, including under Article 99 of the UN Charter. Deaths from famine are already occurring and are expected to rise sharply if conditions persist. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the entire population of Gaza is experiencing acute food insecurity, with half a million people facing starvation. There is a high risk that famine (IPC Phase 5 – Catastrophe) will soon materialise, making immediate action imperative.

Despite this catastrophic reality, over 3,000 aid trucks and 116,000 metric tonnes of food are ready and waiting to enter Gaza – obstructed solely by Israel. This is being done in open defiance of the core principles of international law, as reiterated in binding legal orders, including the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures in South Africa v. Israel - orders that remain ignored and unfulfilled over a year later.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said:

“Aid is non-negotiable…. The entry of assistance must be restored immediately…. There must be no hindrance in humanitarian aid.. This is not a time for ritualistically expressing support, ticking a box, and moving on.”

On 29 April 2025, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned of the total collapse of life-saving support, stating that:

“Third States have clear obligations under international law to ensure that such conduct stops immediately, and they must act accordingly.”

We therefore call for the immediate organisation and deployment of a Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza through the Rafah Crossing.

We urge states to join the humanitarian convoy by dispatching official diplomatic missions -at the highest possible level- to accompany the aid trucks already waiting at the Rafah Crossing, and to enter Gaza alongside them. This is an act of legal obligation, moral courage, and human solidarity. To that end, we demand the following:

1. We call on all states to publicly commit to joining the humanitarian convoy by dispatching official diplomatic missions to accompany the aid trucks into Gaza via the Rafah Crossing. A specific departure date will be announced soon. States must also reject the weaponisation of aid and Israel’s planned distribution mechanisms, which militarise relief efforts and bypass UN agencies and humanitarian actors.

2. We urge all states to coordinate with the United Nations and the Government of Egypt to facilitate the convoy’s entry and ensure the immediate, unhindered, and safe passage of humanitarian aid, medical teams, and relief workers.

3. While some governments complicit in the ongoing atrocities may choose not to participate, we call on individual diplomats, parliamentarians, and ministers from those countries to join the convoy in their personal capacities.

4. We urge international media outlets to accompany the convoy - to bear witness, to document the famine, and to expose the blockade starving Gaza.

5. We call on global civil society, including NGOs, trade unions, student groups, political parties, and solidarity networks, to mobilise immediately - to pressure governments to support the convoy and provide material, political, and public support.

6. We call on the United Nations to immediately declare Gaza a famine zone based on the verified data, and to support this unified call by actively facilitating, endorsing, and joining the Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy.

This is a human imperative. A Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy would mark a historic step to break the siege, end the starvation, and affirm the world’s rejection of hunger as a weapon of war.

This call is grounded in international law, shared morality, Genocide Convention, the ICJ’s provisional measures, the UN Charter, and countless resolutions from the UN, OIC, Arab League, and the European and African Unions.

Inaction will lead to mass death by starvation, enable further grave illegalities, and undermine the international legal system. We are calling on you today to:

Let Gaza Live. End the Starvation. End the Siege. Open the Crossings.

Launch the Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy - NOW

Signatories:

1. Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man
2. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
3. AMAN Coalition
4. Arab Lawyer Union, Egypt
5. Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development - Jordan
6. Bisan Center for Research and Development
7. Center for Constitutional Rights, New York
8. Child Rights International Network (CRIN), United Kingdom
9. Defence for Children International
10. Doctors Against Genocide - USA
11. Filastiniyat
12. GENERAL UNION OF CULTURAL CENTERS
13. GLAN | Global Legal Action Network - Ireland
14. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P) - New York
15. Health Work Committees
16. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation - Turkiye
17. International Association of Democratic Lawyers - Brussels
18. International Commission of Jurists, Norwegian section (ICJ Norway)
19. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) - Paris, France
20. Jewish Network for Palestine - United Kingdom
21. Jewish Voice for Peace - Hawai’i
22. Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC)
23. Law for Palestine (UK)
24. Legal Action for Peace - United Kingdom
25. National Lawyers Guild International - United States
26. Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights
27. Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK
28. Palestinian Bar Association
29. Progressive Democrats of America
30. The European Legal Support Center (ELSC), The Netherlands
31. The Hind Rajab Foundation
32. The International Commission for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian People “Hashd”
33. The Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD)
34. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
35. The Palestinian Centre for the Independence of Judiciary and Legal Profession - Musawa
36. The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy - MIFTAH
37. The Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling
38. Transnational Institute - Netherlands
39. Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)
40. Women’s Affairs Technical Committee - WATC
41. Worldwide Lawyers Association (WOLAS)
42. Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation
43. PWWSD Women Rights
44. Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
45. Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor (Almarsad)
46. The Civil Commission for the independence of Judiciary and Rule of Law (ISTIQLAL)
47. The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights “Hurryyat”
48. Sharek Youth Forum
49. Al-Haq Europe
50. Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association
51. Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development PWWSD
52. Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ)
53. The March 30 Movement - Brussels
54. Olive Kids - The Australian Foundation for Palestinian Children
55. British Palestinian Committee
56. Associazione di Consulenza in Diritto del Mare (ASCOMARE) - Italy
57. Defence for Children International Italia
58. Scottish Anti-Racism Education
59. Demokratischen Komitees Palästina - Germany
60. Défense des enfants International Belgique
61. People Before Profit Derry
62. Neighbours NPO
63. Anthropologists for Palestine, Italy
64. Movement for Debt and Reparations - South Africa
65. Abortion Rights Campaign Donegal
66. Abogados Chilenos por Palestina - Chile
67. Liberating Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa
68. Save Our Sacred Lands
69. United for Palestine - South Africa
70. Islamic Forum - South Africa
71. Methodist Church of Southern Africa
72. We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA)
73. Boycott Israeli Hardware Group - South Africa
74. Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cape Town
75. Plataforma Pro-tram Sant Joan Mutxamel
76. Avocats pour la Justice au Proche-Orient AJPO - France
77. Enfield Community Action Group
78. Progressive Democrats of America - Arizona
79. Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine
80. Kia Ora Gaza (New Zealand)
81. The internatipnal committee for Breaking the siege of Gaza
82. Group of 62O chilean lawyers - Chile
83. Europal Forum
84. Habaq for Human rights training and development
85. Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association
86. Edinburgh University Student Staff Assembly
87. Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition
88. Justice center for legal aid - Jordan
89. Milford and District Resource Centre
90. U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)
91. Ealing Friends Of Palestine
92. Architects for Gaza - Uk
93. Tamkeen for legal aid and human rights
94. World Peace Now ॐ - Australia
95. Comunità Palestinese in Campania - Napoli
96. Aksa Kadınları Derneği Ağrı - Türkiye
97. Kudüs ve Hukuk Platformu - Türkiye
98. Queer Folk®, Inc. - United States
99. Cihannüma derneği - Türkiye
100. Asociación Americana de Juristas - Panamá
101. Seed of Love Hawai'i - Hawaii
102. Human Rights Department - PLO
103. Kia Ora Gaza (New Zealand)
104. British Arab Nursing and Midwifery Association 
105. Friends of Sabeel North America, Claremont Chapter - USA
106. Health Care Workers for Palestine - Maine
107. Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights    Maine, USA
108. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
109. Palestine Pulse (UK)
110. MAA International - Australia
111. International Tribunal of Conscience of Peoples in Movement    
112. World Beyond War Australia
113. Passionists International    - United States
114. Digital Memory Association - Turkiye
115. International Association of Democratic Lawyers    - Philippines
116. Community Action Center- Al-Quds University - Jersalem
117. Khulumani Support Group    - South Africa
118. Hawaii Peace and Justice
119. U.S. Boats to Gaza - United States
120. Rasheed Transparency International - Jordan
121. East Clare for Palestine
122. Phenix Center for Economics & Informatics Studies - Jordan
123. Veterans for Peace-Hawai'i
124. Makan Rights - UK
125. United Against Racism Mayo - Ireland
126. Newham Palestine Solidarity Network - London
127. Balbriggan Palestine Solidarity Grouo
128. We Belong Africa - South Africa
129. Muslim Public Affairs Forum Committee - UK
130. Community Action Redbridge
131. Redbridge Palestine Solicarity Campaign
132. Sari for Change - South Africa
133. Widows for Peace through Democracy -    UK
134. The Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
135. South African Municipal Workers' Union    - South Africa
136. Jewish Voice for Labour - UK
137. Jewish Peaceniks UK
138. Peace Appeal Foundation
139. Gorey Youth Needs Group    Gorey - Ireland
140. Seanad Civil Engagement Group - Ireland
141. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary NGO
142. Foundation for Human Rights - South Africa 
143. Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA), Malaysia
144. MA'AN Development Center, Palestine
145. MontCo for Palestine, Lansdale
146. Congregation of the Mission - Italy
147. Center for Refugee Rights - AIDOUN, Lebanon
148. Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cape Town
149. The Majed Abu Sharar Media Foundation (MASMF), Lebanon
150. Good Energies Alliance Ireland
151. Colchester Action for Palestine
152. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
153. Gaza Action Ireland
154. Mision Ezequiel Lugo Morales inc.    
155. Frente de Capoeira pro Palestina, Ecuador
156. Palestine-Global Mental Health Network, Palestine
157. Red de Solidaridad Popular de Jinámar, Spain
158. Salt River Heritage Society, South Africa
159. Cloncannon Biofarm, Ireland
160. End water poverty, UK
161. Street Medicine Ireland
162. Palestinian Union of the Deaf
163. Red Centroamericana de Acción del Agua, Central Amarica
164. South African Jews for a Free Palestine
165. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine
166. Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland
167. Comhlamh Justice for Palestine - Ireland
168. Comision Ecuménica de Derechos Humanos CEDHU - Ecuador
169. Congregations of St Joseph - NGO - USA
170. Jews for Justice for Palestinians, UK
171. South African Jews for a Free Palestine
172. Campaign Against Arms Trade, United Kingdom
173. Defence For Children - International Canada
174. Nenagh Friends of Palestine, Ireland
175. BDS Clare, Ireland
176. Psychoanalytic Voices for Palestine, UK
177. Housing and Land Rights Network - Habitat International Coalition    Red Universitaria por Palestina, Spain
178. Civil Engagement Group, Ireland
179. A & A Rainbow Hearts Around The World, Poland
180.  
181. VIVAT International, New York
182. Scarborough Southwest for Palestine, Canada
183. Women Working Group (WWG), Indonesia
184. Forum of Computer Scientists for Peace and Social Responsibility, Germany
185. Derry Branch of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
186. Christian Aid, UK
187. Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Germany
188. SeRVE Indonesia, Indonesia
189. National Union of Peoples Lawyers,    Philippines
190. Global Jews for Palestine
191. Australian & Aotearoa New Zealand Doctors for Palestine
192. Labor for Palestine, United States
193. No Detention Centers in Michigan, USA
194. Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
195. Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy, Australia
196. Pax Christi International, Brussels
197. Sh'ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices (NZ), New Zealand
198. Frontline Film Foundation, Australia
199. Young Christian Students Movement, South Africa
200. Christian Action Movement, Johannesburg
201. The Jordanian Federation of the Independent Trade Unions
202. No Azure for Apartheid
203. Al Amal Association for the Deaf, Palestine
204. The Rights Forum, The Netherlands
205. Extinction Rebellion Gauteng, South Africa
206. Clare Solidarity Network, Ireland
207. KZN monitor, Durban
208. Xarxa UAB per Palestina
209. Anglican church of Southern Africa
210. Un Ponte Per, Italy
211. KZN Palestine Solidarity Forum, South Africa
212. South Africa Palestine Movement
213. Save Our Local Hospitals, London
214. Scottish Universities Jewish Staff Network, Scotland
215. The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Indonesia
216. The Palestine Committee in Norway, Norway
217. The Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine, Norway
218. Road to 50% APS, Italy
219. Unión de Comités Autónomos de Agua del Oriente del Estado de México
220. Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos "Segundo Montes Mozo SJ" (CSMM), Ecuador
221. Défense des enfants international, France
222. Asociación Americana de Juristas
223. Red Centroamericana de Acción del Agua - Nica
224. Jews Against the Occupation ‘48, Australia
225. Acción Palestina Chiapas, Mexico
226. An Claíomh Glas, Ireland
227. Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice, The Netherlands
228. Social Workers for a Free Palestine, UK
229. Global Coalition Against the Occupation in Palestine
230. Action Reflection Community (ARC), South Africa
231. Vivencias, Manaus Amazone Brazil
232. Hackney Palestine Solidarity, London
233. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin (Brisbane), Australia
234. MENA Rights Group, Switzerland
235. Earth Thrive, UK
236. Menningar og friðarsamtökin MFÍK,    Iceland
237. Friends of the Earth Ireland, Ireland
238. European Water Movement, Belgium
239. Medical Rights Advocacy Network (MeRAN)
240. Pakistan Council on Family Relations, Pakistan
241. Environmental Law Ireland at An Taisce
242. Quaker Service Norway, Norway
243. Norwegian People's Aid, Norway
244. Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace  group, Australia
245. Food Researchers in Edinburgh (FRIED)
246. Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine, Boston, MA