# Major charities issue urgent statement calling on global leaders to protect Northern Gaza

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/10/15/major-charities-issue-urgent-statement-calling-on-global-leaders-to-protect-northern-gaza/
- Published: 2024-10-15T16:20:31+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Almost 40 charities from across the globe including the UK’s Action Aid, Christian
Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and War Child, have this afternoon issued an urgent statement
on the deepening humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, which remains cut off from
food, fuel and all humanitarian aid.**

They are calling on global leaders to act now to end the Israeli forces’ assault
on Northern Gaza, which they say is being _‘wiped off the map’_ with the Israeli
forces’ assault on Gaza having escalated to _‘a horrifying level of atrocity’_.

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[The statement](https://actionaid.org.uk/latest-news/northern-gaza-being-erased-global-leaders-must-act-now)
says that:

_‘Under the guise of “evacuation,” Israeli forces have ordered the forced displacement
of an estimated 400,000 Palestinians trapped in northern Gaza, including Gaza City.
This is not an evacuation—this is forced displacement under gunfire. Since 1 October
[, no food has been allowed into the area](https://www.ochaopt.org/content/civilians-northern-gaza-cut-supplies-and-services-critical-survival),
and civilians are being starved and bombed in their homes and their tents.’_

The charities say that global leaders have a legal and moral duty to act now, and
that while the International Court of Justice (ICJ)[ has ordered](https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-pre-01-00-en.pdf)
Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts
within the scope of Article II of the Genocide Convention, there is _‘no evidence
that Israel has adhered to these orders, and the killing of Palestinians has only
intensified.’ _

The statement calls for unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations, and for
an immediate ceasefire and end to Israel’s occupation, saying:

_“Any attempt to alter the territorial integrity of Gaza constitutes a blatant violation
of international law. This is especially egregious in light of the recent ICJ advisory
opinion, which significantly heightens the obligation of third states to take decisive
action. Failure to do so risks their complicity in perpetuating the illegal occupation.
   _

_“All parties must allow unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations to deliver
aid based on need, without restricting types, volumes, or locations. Aid delivery
must remain impartial and independent of military objectives to prevent its instrumentalisation
or politicisation. Civilians must not be forced to flee to receive aid; those choosing
to stay in their homes must be protected under international law. _

_“We demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation. Global
leaders must act in line with the [UN General Assembly Resolution](https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154496)
on the ICJ Advisory Opinion and fulfil their obligation not to facilitate or support
Israel’s illegal occupation. Third states must halt now the transfer of all weapons,
parts, and ammunition that could be used to commit further violations of international
humanitarian law. _

_“This is not a time for silence – this is a time for action. The people of Gaza
cannot wait. The world must intervene now before more innocent lives are lost.”_

The UK Foreign Office has just announced sanctions against seven groups that support
illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank. [The Guardian reports](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/oct/15/david-cameron-planning-sanctions-two-israeli-ministers)
the Foreign Office as saying that they had supported and sponsored violence against
communities in the West Bank_,_ and that there had been an unprecedented rise in
settler violence.

Back in February, more than 60 INGOs [signed an open letter](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/02/21/more-than-60-ingos-sign-open-letter-to-mps-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/)
to MPs calling on them to support a ceasefire.