The heads of 11 UN agencies and six humanitarian organizations, constituted as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, signed a joint appeal dated Nov. 5 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian relief for its people. “For almost a month, the world has been watching the unfolding situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in shock and horror at the spiraling numbers of lives lost and torn apart,” the appeal says. “In Israel, some 1,400 people have been killed and thousands have been injured, according to the Israeli authorities. More than 200 people, including children, have been taken hostage. Rockets continue to traumatize families. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced. This is horrific.
“However, the horrific killings of even more civilians in Gaza is an outrage, as is cutting off 2.2 million Palestinians from food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel….
“An entire population is besieged and under attack, denied access to the essentials for survival, bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals and places of worship. This is unacceptable.” The statement notes that more than 100 attacks against healthcare facilities have been reported, while more than 23,000 injured people need immediate treatment in hospitals. Scores of aid workers have been killed, including 88 employees of the UNRWA, “the highest number of United Nations fatalities ever recorded in a single conflict.
“We renew our plea for the parties to respect all their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. We renew our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held hostage.
“Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on—including hospitals, shelters and schools—must be protected.
