Early this morning, Israel announced plans for a military occupation of Gaza City, and Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed his intention to take over the entire Gaza strip. Israel has already created a militarized zone in over 80% of Gaza. And they have been systematically bombing, starving, and killing Palestinians in massive numbers. An Israeli invasion of Gaza City will likely result in thousands more deaths even as the man-made famine in Gaza intensifies.
To stop the spread of famine, border crossings must be open and humanitarian organizations must be allowed full access to provide aid. People in Gaza are starving to death mere kilometers away from trucks full of food that Israel is blocking from distribution. Starving people are shot by Israeli soldiers and U.S. contractors who betray every tenet of humanitarian principles. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) – the U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization responsible for these killings – must be shut down.
International humanitarian law dictates that we must act now. The United States and the international community have the power to stop the famine, prevent further annexation of Palestinian land, and end the genocide. Today, Germany announced a decision to block some of their weapon sales to Israel. This is an important step but it is not enough. All arms transfers from every country need to be halted. Targeted sanctions against Israel should be put in place until there is a permanent ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and an end to the occupation.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine Light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.