Over 100 humanitarian groups sound alarm on starvation of staff in Gaza

More than 100 international human rights and humanitarian organisations have called for an end to Israel's siege of Gaza, citing widespread starvation affecting their staff.

Famine caused by Israel's ongoing war and blockade has led to a growing number of deaths from malnutrition and dehydration in recent days.

A joint letter released on Wednesday, signed by 109 organisations, including Amnesty International, War Child UK, and EuroMed Rights, warns that the humanitarian crisis is reaching catastrophic levels.

“As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families," the joint letter said. 

"With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes."

The signatories rejected the "military-controlled distribution models," in reference to the scandal-ridden Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-US initiative designed to bypass the UN's infrastructure for aid delivery and distribution in Gaza. 

They also urged the immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade and allowing aid groups to do their work. 

"Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale," the statement added.

"But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams.

"Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive." 

Read more: Over 100 humanitarian groups sound alarm on starvation of staff in Gaza