ICSPR Sends Urgent Appeal to the United Nations and the International Community to Stop the Genocide, Lift the Siege on Gaza, and Open Immediate Humanitarian Corridors

Press Release

ICSPR Sends Urgent Appeal to the United Nations and the International Community to Stop the Genocide, Lift the Siege on Gaza, and Open Immediate Humanitarian Corridors

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has sent an urgent appeal to the United Nations and several international and regional bodies, calling for immediate and effective action to stop the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, lift the severe blockade, and open safe humanitarian corridors to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians, amidst the worsening catastrophe that has persisted for over 580 days.

This appeal was made through an official memorandum dated May 10, 2025, addressed to key stakeholders including: the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Special Envoy, the President of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, the League of Arab States, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross, the European Union, the African Union, and the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions.

Unprecedented Humanitarian Catastrophe

In its memorandum, ICSPR emphasized that civilians in Gaza are facing a comprehensive humanitarian catastrophe amid the continued Israeli military aggression and tightened blockade. The occupation has committed over 12,000 massacres against Palestinian families, with the war resulting in the death of approximately 65,000 people, including 52,615 officially confirmed martyrs, over 70% of whom are children and women (18,000 children and 12,400 women). In addition, 2,172 families have been completely wiped out and erased from the civil registry.

The crimes also include the killing of 1,402 medical personnel, 214 journalists, 113 civil defense members, and 203 UNRWA staff, along with over 116,505 injuries, including 4,700 amputees and 17,000 requiring long-term rehabilitation. Hundreds of civilians died under the rubble due to the prevention of rescue efforts, lack of fuel, and necessary equipment. Additionally, 6,633 Palestinians have been arrested, including 362 medical workers, 48 journalists, and 26 civil defense personnel.

The occupation has used over 100,000 tons of explosives, including internationally prohibited weapons such as white phosphorus, in densely populated residential areas.

Mass Displacement and Life in Tents

ICSPR stated that more than 2 million Palestinians—equivalent to 75% of Gaza’s population—have been forcibly displaced, many of them multiple times. These displaced individuals live in inhumane conditions in dilapidated tents or destroyed schools and buildings, with 111,000 tents recorded as unfit for habitation.

More than 2,136,000 cases of infectious diseases have been reported, including 71,338 cases of hepatitis, due to poor health conditions. The occupation has targeted 234 shelter centers, including tents in Mawasi Khan Yunis. Meanwhile, 90% of Gaza’s land is classified by the occupation as “unsafe,” worsening the plight of the population.

Total Collapse of the Healthcare Sector

ICSPR highlighted that the healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, with 38 hospitals completely destroyed and rendered inoperable, and 164 health facilities and 144 ambulances targeted. The remaining hospitals operate at less than 10% capacity, due to fuel and medical supply shortages.

As a result, many cancer, kidney, and newborn patients have died. Around 12,500 cancer patients and 1,000 kidney patients face imminent death, in addition to 350,000 patients suffering from chronic illnesses due to lack of medication.

Hunger Devastates the Population

The Commission reported a worsening food security crisis in Gaza, as all crossings have remained closed for 67 consecutive days, preventing the entry of basic necessities, including baby formula and nutritional supplements. Over 2.1 million Palestinians are experiencing acute hunger, with 91% of the population classified in Phase 3 or above of food insecurity, and 345,000 in Phase 5 (catastrophic).

Hospitals have received 70,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition, with 3,500 at imminent risk of death and another 290,000 on the brink of famine. The death toll due to hunger has reached 57, mostly children and the elderly.

The report noted that 75% of Gaza’s agricultural land has been destroyed, in addition to 28 community kitchens and 37 food distribution centers.

Widespread Infrastructure Destruction

ICSPR revealed that 88% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, including 165,000 housing units completely leveled and 200,000 partially damaged. Also, 142 schools and universities were completely destroyed, and 364 partially, in addition to the destruction of 2,850,000 meters of roads and 655,000 meters of sewage networks.

The number of families who lost their homes has reached 280,000, while 719 water wells have been destroyed—less than 30% remain operational. Gaza has experienced a complete blackout for months, with direct damages estimated at $42 billion USD.

The Siege: Deliberate Strangulation of Civilians

The Commission pointed out that the blockade, imposed since 2007, has dramatically intensified since the start of the war. All crossings have been closed, and humanitarian aid has been denied entry, while thousands of trucks wait at the borders as patients die inside Gaza.

There are 22,000 patients in need of treatment outside Gaza, including 13,000 who completed all referral procedures. ICSPR considers the use of blockade as a political pressure tool to be a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Demands and Recommendations

ICSPR concluded its memorandum by stating that the Israeli policies of starvation and deprivation of life essentials constitute a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as violations of the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice.

The Commission calls on the international community to:

• Immediately act to stop the genocide, lift the blockade, and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid, in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

• Assume legal responsibility under the UN Charter and impose binding measures on the occupying authorities, including international sanctions and criminal prosecution of those responsible.

• Call upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations and take urgent steps to stop violations and provide immediate international protection to the population of Gaza.

An Urgent Call to Save What Remains

The Commission concluded its message by stressing that turning a blind eye to these grave violations not only represents a failure of international responsibility but also silent complicity in crimes committed before the eyes of the world. ICSPR urges all international and regional bodies to take immediate practical steps to save civilian lives, stop the catastrophe, and uphold the principles of justice—before it is too late.

Issued by:
Dr. Salah Abdel Ati
Lawyer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR)