More than 250 humanitarian and human rights organisations call to stop arms transfers to Israel, Palestinian armed groups

An open call to all UN Member States to stop fueling the crisis in Gaza and avert further humanitarian catastrophe and loss of civilian life.

We, the undersigned organisations, call on all States to immediately halt the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.

Israel’s bombardment and siege are depriving the civilian population of the basics to survive and rendering Gaza uninhabitable. Today, the civilian population in Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented severity and scale.

Violations of international humanitarian law

Furthermore, Palestinian armed group-led attacks killed around 1,200 people and took hundreds of Israeli and foreign hostages, including children, and continue to hold more than 130 hostages captive inside Gaza. Armed groups in Gaza have continued to indiscriminately fire rockets toward population centres in Israel, disrupting school for children, displacing and threatening the lives and well being of civilians. Hostage-taking and indiscriminate attacks are violations of international humanitarian law and must end immediately.

Humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, United Nations officials, and more than 153 member states have called for an immediate ceasefire. However, Israel continues to use explosive weapons and munitions in densely populated areas with massive humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza. World leaders have urged the Israeli government to reduce civilian casualties, yet Israeli military operations in Gaza continue to kill people at unprecedented levels, according to remarks by the UN Secretary-General. Member states have a legal responsibility to use all possible tools to leverage better protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law. Gaza’s remaining lifeline – an internationally-funded humanitarian aid response – has been paralyzed by the intensity of the hostilities, which have included the shooting of aid convoys, recurrent communications blackouts, damaged roads, restrictions on essential supplies, an almost complete ban on commercial supplies, and a bureaucratic process to send aid into Gaza.

Destruction and civilian harm

Israel’s military activity has destroyed a substantial portion of Gaza’s homes, schools, hospitals, water infrastructure, shelters, and refugee camps; the indiscriminate nature of these bombings and a pattern of apparently disproportionate civilian harm they routinely cause is unacceptable. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of the “heightened risk of atrocity crimes” being committed in Gaza and called on all states to prevent such crimes from unfolding. Since this call, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has only deteriorated further:

More than 33,000 Palestinians, at least 14,500 of them children, have been killed over the last six months, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Thousands more are buried under the rubble and presumed dead.
More than 75,000 people have been injured, many with life-changing injuries that will leave them with permanent disabilities; these include more than 1,000 Palestinian children who have lost one or more of their upper or lower limbs.
An unknown number of Palestinian civilians, reportedly including children, have been unlawfully detained, according to the UN, and must be released.
Palestinians continue to be killed nearly every day in areas the Israeli government told them to flee. In the first week of 2024, an Israeli airstrike killed 14 people – the majority children – near an area Israeli forces prescribed as a “humanitarian zone.”
Over 70% of Gaza’s population, around 1.7 million people, has been forcibly displaced. Many followed Israeli-issued orders to relocate south and are now being squeezed into tiny pockets of land that cannot sustain human life, which have become breeding ground for the spread of disease.

Children and families face starvation

Half of the population of Gaza – around 1.1 million Palestinians – are facing catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation, the highest number ever recorded by the technical humanitarian body responsible for making evidence-based assessments of food insecurity, with famine now imminent in northern Gaza. The entire population of the Gaza Strip – around 2.2 million people – are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
More than 70% of Gaza’s homes, much of its schools, and its water and sanitation infrastructure have been destroyed or damaged and left the population with almost no access to clean water.
Not a single medical facility in the enclave is fully operational and those partially functioning are overwhelmed with trauma cases and shortages of medical supplies and doctors. More than 489 health workers have been killed.
At least 243 aid workers* in Gaza have been killed, the highest of any conflict in this century.

Gaza today is the most dangerous place to be a child, a journalist, and an aid worker. Hospitals and schools should never become battlegrounds. These conditions have created a situation of utter desperation inside Gaza, leading top aid officials to declare that there are no longer the conditions for a meaningful humanitarian response in Gaza. This will not change until the siege, the bombardment and the fighting ends. In January, the United Nations described humanitarian access as a “significant deterioration.” Israeli forces have repeatedly denied permission for aid convoys to reach areas north of Wadi Gaza where people are at the highest risk of starvation.

In recent weeks, high ranking Israeli officials have begun calling for the deportation of Palestinian civilians out of Gaza. The forcible transfer within Gaza and deportation of a portion of the population across borders, lacking any guarantees of return, would constitute a serious violation of international law, amounting to an atrocity crime.

We demand an immediate ceasefire

We demand an immediate ceasefire and call on all states to halt the transfer of weapons that can be used to commit violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The UN Security Council must fulfill its responsibility to maintain global peace and security by adopting measures to halt the transfer of weapons to the Government of Israel and Palestinian armed groups and prevent the supply of arms that risk being used in the commission of international crimes, effective immediately.

All states have the obligation to prevent atrocity crimes and promote adherence to norms that protect civilians. The international community is long overdue to live up to these commitments.

Editor’s Note

This statement was initially published on 24 January 2024, with the endorsement of 16 humanitarian organisations. Since its publishing, more than 250 civil society organisations around the world have endorsed the call. This statement has been updated to reflect figures that are accurate as of 10 April 2024, including the numbers of people killed, including children, aid workers, and health care workers, the number of those injured, and the latest figures in respect to food insecurity released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Since the original statement was published on 24 January 2024, the following events have occurred:
On 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued provisional measures in the case of the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
On 12 February 2024, the Dutch Court ordered the government of Netherlands to stop supplying F35 fighter jet parts to Israel within seven days, due to the risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
On 23 February 2024, UN experts released a joint-statement stating that arms exports to Israel must stop immediately, stating, “The need for an arms embargo on Israel is heightened by the International Court of Justice’s ruling on 26 January 2024 that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and the continuing serious harm to civilians since then.”
On 25 March 2024, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan.
On 28 March 2024, the ICJ issued additional provisional measures alongside observations of the court that “famine is setting in.”
On 5 April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to “cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, the occupying Power…to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.”
The total number of aid workers killed includes staff members of UN agencies, NGOs, as well as the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Figures on the annual number of aid workers killed in other context can be found on the Aid Worker Security Database.

Undersigned

1. Federation Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion
2. War Child Alliance
3. Christian Aid
4. Norwegian People’s Aid
5. Médecins du Monde International Network
6. Mennonite Central Committee
7. medico international
8. Oxfam
9. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
10. Danish Refugee Council
11. Save the Children
12. Plan International
13. Norwegian Refugee Council
14. Diakonia
15. Amnesty International
16. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
17. Welfare Association
18. War on Want
19. War Childhood Museum Foundation
20. Palestinian Farmers Union
21. WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
22. United Nations Association – UK
23. Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS)
24. Human Rights Sentinel
25. IM Swedish Development Partner
26. Firefly International
27. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
28. Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) GE
29. Nonviolent Peaceforce
30. Peace Action
31. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
32. Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation
33. France Palestine Mental Health Network
34. Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations
35. Syrian Network for Human Rights.
36. INGO ALG CONSULTANT GROUP
37. Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development
38. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
39. Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)
40. The National Organization of Yemeni Reporters SADA
41. L’Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP)
42. Development and Peace – Caritas Canada
43. EmpowerVan
44. Train of Hope Dortmund e.V.
45. Jewish Network for Palestine
46. مدافعات للحقوق والحريات والتنمية
47. PELDA
48. Ina autra senda – Swiss Friends of Combatants for Peace
49. Street Child UK
50. Polish Medical Mission
51. Peace SOS
52. Gender Advisory Team, Cyprus
53. Olof Palmes Internationella Center
54. Cordaid
55. Street Child España
56. Share The World’s Resources
57. Church and Peace – Ecumenical Peace Church Network in Europe
58. ForcesWatch
59. Vredesactie
60. Terre des Hommes Netherlands
61. Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights
62. Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
63. Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine
64. PAX
65. EuroMed Rights
66. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
67. The Presbyterian Church in Canada
68. The United Church of Canada
69. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
70. CIUSSS Centre-Sud
71. Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy
72. The Business Plan for Peace
73. Secours Catholique – Caritas France
74. Danish Muslim Aid
75. Peace Direct
76. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BA4P)
77. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions – UK
78. The Dallaire Institute for Children Peace and Security
79. Creatura Think & Do Tank
80. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions – Germany
81. Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
82. The Hague Peace Projects
83. Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
84. Nonviolence International
85. Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
86. The United Church of Canada
87. Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion
88. The Anglican Church of Canada/L’Eglise anglican du Canada
89. MADRE
90. Ekō
91. ReThinking Foreign Policy
92. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) Germany
93. Initiatives et Changement (IofC France)
94. WeWorld
95. pax christi – Deutsche Sektion e.V.
96. Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte
97. Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy -CPRA
98. Equal Legal Aid
99. Young Christian Students Movement South Africa
100. Laurentiuskonvent e.V.
101. Socialist Movement of Ghana
102. Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation
103. Japan Fellowship of Reconciliation
104. Action Corps
105. EgyptWide for Human Rights
106. Pax Christi International
107. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) – Greece
108. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
109. KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
110. Committee of 100 in Finland
111. Khulumani Support Group
112. Amos Trust
113. Sanad Basra Organization for Human Rights
114. Association Pour Jérusalem (France)
115. Community of Christ
116. Avaaz
117. Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine
118. Women Volunteers for Peace
119. Forum Computer Professionals for Peace and Societal Responsibility
120. Salam For Yemen
121. Vereinigung Demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen e.V. (VDJ)
122. Association France Palestine Solidarite Paris-Sud
123. Culture de Palestine
124. Emmaus International
125. Kristna Fredsrörelsen / SweFOR
126. Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
127. Medical Association for Prevention of War
128. HelpAge International
129. Quakers in Scotland (General Meeting for Scotland)
130. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e. V.
131. DAWN MENA
132. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
133. NVMP-Artsen voor vrede
134. ActionAid France
135. Forum Computer Professionals for Peace and Societal Responsibility (FIfF) e.V.
136. Pax Christi Scotland
137. Shujaa-Initiative
138. Pax Christi Italia
139. Pax Christi – Perú
140. Center for Jewish Nonviolence
141. Peace Movement Aotearoa
142. Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
143. Pax Christi England and Wales
144. Pax Christi Aotearoa NZ
145. Pax Christi Miriam College
146. Welfare Association
147. Age International
148. Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict
149. Arms Information Centre (RIB e.V.)
150. Caritas International Belgium
151. Medact
152. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
153. Feminist Humanitarian Network
154. Saferworld
155. Mwatana for Human Rights
156. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
157. International Alert
158. CIVICUS
159. Internationaler Versöhnungsbund – Deutscher Zweig e.V.
160. Pax Christi USA
161. Caritas Internationalis
162. The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society
163. Belgian Academics and Artists for Palestine (BA4P)
164. Humance Heal For Human Rights
165. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
166. Min Haqi Foundation to Empower Women Politically and Economically
167. Yoga and Sport with Refugees
168. Caesar Families Association
169. KinderUSA
170. Ocalenie Foundation
171. Aura Freedom International
172. Finnish-Arab Friendship Society
173. Equal Legal Aid
174. Street Child Italy
175. Rebuilding Alliance
176. Bildungsprojekt Sachsen im Klimawandel
177. Diversity Matters North West Ltd
178. Un Ponte Per
179. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
180. Terre des Hommes Italy
181. Middle East Children’s Alliance
182. Mercy Corps
183. Permanent Peace Movement
184. Seenaryo
185. Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal (WPD Nepal)
186. France Palestine Mental Health Network
187. Muslim Peace Fellowship
188. UCOS vzw (UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION)
189. Protection International (PI)
190. Women’s Right to Education Programme
191. Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative
192. IANSA Women Network Nigeria
193. Muslim Delegates and Allies Coalition
194. Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax
195. Tamkeen for Legal Aid & Human Rights
196. Doctors Against Genocide
197. The Rights Forum
198. Women for Peace – Finland
199. Business Plan for Peace
200. Righting Relations Canada
201. Foyer du Monde
202. Bahrain Transparency
203. Rete Italiana Pace Disarmo
204. Nonviolence International
205. FundiPau
206. Control Arms
207. Climate Refugees
208. SOL Education Center
209. Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy – CPRA
210. Centro de Estudios Ecuménicos – México
211. Daraj Media
212. Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL)
213. Mujeres para el Dialogo
214. Pastoral Social, Iglesia Anglicana de México
215. Asociación de familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos y Víctimas de Violaciones a los Derechos Humanos en México AFADEM-FEDEFAM
216. Servicio Paz y Justicia (serpaj)-mexico
217. Global Thought
218. American Baptist Churches USA
219. Sojourners
220. Migrant Roots Media
221. Citizens for Just Policy
222. PEOPLES FEDERATION FOR NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (PEFENAP)
223. Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP)
224. Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas
225. Vision GRAM-International
226. The United Church of Christ
227. Caritas Middle East and North Africa
228. Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient
229. BDS Berlin
230. SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations)
231. Women in Black – Austria
232. Collective Aid
233. ReFOCUS Media Labs – Poland
234. Fund for Global Human Rights
235. Omega Research Foundation
236. Women for Weapons Trade Transparency
237. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
238. Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Israel Network
239. Terre des Hommes International Federation
240. CCFD-Terre Solidaire
241. COCASEN – Coalición Nacional Contra el Abuso Sexual
242. CARE International
243. Fundación Ser de Paz AC
244. Forum o Disarmament and Development of Sri Lanka
245. FTSCD (Forum Togolais de la Société civile pour le Développement)
246. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
247. MPower Change Action Fund
248. Steirische Friedensplattform
249. Minnesota Peace Project
250. Académicos con Palestina contra el genocidio – Mexico
251. Fundación Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual – Mexico