28th Jan. 2025 Washington D.C.- Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), along with dozens of international humanitarian organizations, urgently calls upon the international community to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This comes as findings reveal the failure to implement critical provisional measures outlined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) a year ago, resulting in unprecedented suffering among Palestinians.
The joint report reveals a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza. A staggering 93% of surveyed aid organizations report a significant deterioration in the conditions of individuals receiving aid over the past year. The prolonged crisis has left millions of Palestinians without access to basic needs, including food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare.
Severe restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities have further exacerbated the situation. Nearly 89% of aid organizations report increasing obstacles to the entry of humanitarian supplies, significantly impeding their ability to deliver critical assistance. Despite the recent ceasefire allowing for some aid trucks to enter Gaza, the report documents that these efforts remain far below the level required to meet the urgent needs of the population.
The blockade has caused catastrophic impacts on basic survival. For instance, 83% of essential food aid has failed to reach Gaza, forcing many residents to survive on just one meal every other day. Access to clean water is equally dire, with availability dropping to a mere 4.74 liters per person per day—far below the internationally recognized emergency standard. This deprivation has resulted in widespread malnutrition and a severe risk of communicable diseases.
The scale of displacement and destruction is unprecedented. Military offensives and forced displacement orders have affected 90% of Gaza’s population, forcing 1.6 million people into makeshift shelters. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and water systems has been systematically destroyed. This destruction has left Gaza’s residents exposed to harsh weather conditions and without access to essential services.
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of CMEP, emphasized the need for urgent enforcement of ICJ provisional measures:
“The systemic denial of humanitarian aid, destruction of infrastructure, and widespread displacement demand accountability. While the recent ceasefire offers hope, it cannot erase the devastation and human suffering witnessed over the past year. Justice, freedom, and dignity for Palestinians must remain central to any long-term solution.”
The report also underscores the international community’s legal obligations under Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention to prevent and address atrocities. Continued inaction risks complicity in violations of international law and emboldens further breaches.
CMEP along with the coalition of humanitarian organizations urges immediate enforcement of ICJ provisional measures to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and protect civilian lives. Additionally, the international community must establish accountability mechanisms to address war crimes, genocide, and other human rights violations committed in Gaza. Sustained international pressure is essential to tackle the root causes of the conflict, including ending the blockade and occupation of Gaza. | 
