1. United States
2. Letter

The death toll from the ongoing conflict in Gaza could reach staggering levels far beyond the current figures if the violence does not stop immediately. According to a study published in The Lancet, factors like diseases and the destruction of critical infrastructure could lead to 186,000 or more indirect deaths, even if the war ends now. This apocalyptic projection underscores the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The relentless Israeli bombardment has decimated hospitals, water and food distribution systems, leaving the Palestinian population extremely vulnerable. With the United Nations' relief efforts severely underfunded, the people of Gaza face an existential threat from lack of basic necessities like shelter, clean water and medical care. This scale of suffering constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law. To prevent this looming catastrophe and further loss of innocent lives, immediate action must be taken. A comprehensive arms embargo on Israel is crucial to deprive its military of the means to continue this disproportionate assault. Robust diplomatic efforts focusing on an immediate ceasefire and unobstructed humanitarian access to Gaza must be an urgent priority. Failing to act now would compound this human tragedy and betray our shared values of human dignity.