Over 100 aid organisations call for urgent ceasefire and end to Gaza blockade

More than 100 humanitarian and rights groups are urging governments to act as famine tightens its grip on Gaza.

In a joint statement, 111 organisations - including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Refugees International - called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift all restrictions on aid access.

"With food and supplies blocked at Gaza’s gates, our staff are starving alongside those they’re trying to help," the groups said.

They condemned Israel’s siege, accusing it of fuelling "chaos, starvation, and death" through bureaucratic delays and access restrictions.

The statement demanded the opening of all land crossings, unrestricted humanitarian access across Gaza, and a rejection of military-run aid distribution in favour of a UN-led response.

"States must take concrete steps to end the siege, including halting the flow of weapons and ammunition," the organisations added.