8th December 2023

Insan Organization for RightsandFreedoms, in partnership with a significant group of humanitarian organizations from America, Europe, Australia, and Arab countries, has sent a message to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, urging him to put an immediate end to the ongoing conflict, cease the bombardment of Gaza, prevent forced migration, take a firm stance against heinous acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing, and provide essential services to all residents of Gaza, including secure electricity, safe drinking water, and food.

The message, signed by various human rights organizations from different countries, emphasizes the insistence on the swift and unconditional delivery of aid to those living in what has become the largest open-air prison in the world, Gaza.

The organizations stated that since October 7th, they have documented the killing of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli attacks, with the majority being women, children, and numerous journalists. Additionally, tens of thousands of civilian casualties have been wounded, some experiencing serious health complications, such as urgent need for intensive care, kidney dialysis, surgical operations, and incubators for newborns.

The message highlights the severe shortage of medical supplies, energy, and water imposed by Israel, causing many patients to sustain serious injuries due to Israeli attacks, and doctors have been forced to perform necessary surgeries without anesthesia due to its unavailability. It also emphasizes the deliberate and ongoing Israeli bombing of hospitals and medical centers in the Gaza Strip.

The message states that Israel's aggression against Gaza has resulted in the displacement of nearly one million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, leaving them homeless due to Israeli destruction of over 220,000 residential units in the Gaza Strip. Even the shelters that housed thousands of displaced Palestinians were not spared from Israel's brutal attacks.

It further adds that Israel has made the press a military target, with some Israeli officials openly inciting violence against journalists, and the Israeli army has targeted hundreds of media headquarters, completely or partially destroying them. Many journalists have been killed in Gaza and Lebanon, in a blatant violation of Article 79 of the Geneva Convention.

The humanitarian organizations reaffirm that the population in Gaza continues to suffer from food and medicine shortages, lack of clean water sources, and the increasing threat of epidemics. Humanitarian organizations are unable to meet the needs of the population due to the tightened Israeli blockade on aid entry. There is no safe place in the Gaza Strip.

The message calls on the United Nations to fulfill its responsibilities and, in line with its core mandates, facilitate cooperation and enable popular organizations from all countries to assist those affected by the consequences of war.

The organizations demand accountability for those responsible within the Israeli regime as war criminals and their prosecution in international courts with judicial expertise, as well as the urgent necessity to achieve a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible.

The message expresses hope to receive the support of the Secretary-General and all United Nations affiliated organizations for the independent efforts undertaken by non-governmental organizations worldwide to de-escalate tensions, support people's rights, and achieve sustainable peace. This can only be achieved through the establishment of a comprehensive system based on the aspirations of the Palestinian people.