LONDON: More than 250 humanitarian and human rights organizations worldwide have called for ending arms transfers to Israel.
Released in January, the statement was initially signed by 16 major organizations demanding an end to arms transfers and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
But four months later, more than 250 groups have signed the statement, indicating growing humanitarian concerns over Israel’s prosecution of its war.
Since Oct. 7 last year, Israel has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including at least 14,500 children.
The joint statement describes itself as “an open call to all UN member states to stop fueling the crisis in Gaza and avert further humanitarian catastrophe and loss of civilian life.”
It adds: “We, the undersigned organizations, call on all states to immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.
“Israel’s bombardment and siege are depriving the civilian population of the basics to survive and rendering Gaza uninhabitable.
“Today, the civilian population in Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented severity and scale.”
The statement highlights the fact that more than 153 UN member states have called for an immediate ceasefire in the enclave, but warns that “Israel continues to use explosive weapons and munitions in densely populated areas with massive humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza.
“Member states have a legal responsibility to use all possible tools to leverage better protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law.”
Among the statement’s signatories are Amnesty International, Save the Children, Oxfam, the Jewish Network for Palestine, Medico International and Christian Aid.
It says: “Gaza today is the most dangerous place to be a child, a journalist and an aid worker. Hospitals and schools should never become battlegrounds.”
The statement also warns against recent calls by top Israeli officials for the deportation of Palestinian civilians from Gaza.
“The forcible transfer within Gaza and deportation of a portion of the population across borders, lacking any guarantees of return, would constitute a serious violation of international law, amounting to an atrocity crime,” it adds.
The International Court of Justice’s issuance of provisional measures in the South Africa vs. Israel case in late January is also likely to have played a role in the growing number of signatories.
Amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ICJ in late March issued further provisional measures for Israel on account of “famine setting in” across the enclave.
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