1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

n January 5, Israel expanded the yellow line through Gaza to increase its physical occupation of more than 50% of the strip, intensifying overcrowding and displacement. In these areas, Israel continues to demolish homes, schools, and vital civilian infrastructure, making any future return to normalcy impossible. Since the so-called ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, Israel has continued to bomb, shoot, and kill people in Gaza, killing at least 424 people and injuring a further 1,199 in daily violations. However, ground presence does not tell the whole story; the entirety of Gaza and the West Bank is militarily (and illegally) occupied and controlled by Israel. On December 30 2025, Israel banned a further 37 international non-governmental organisations from operating in the territories,including Doctors Without Borders, which provides critical, life-saving care in Gaza alongside doctors and nurses living there. Gaza’s hospitals are barely operating, with Doctors performing procedures using mobile phones for light. People are arriving seriously ill from preventable waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and severe cold. Those suffering from cancer and kidney disease cannot be cared for, with facilities strategically targeted by Israel, and the blockade limiting medical equipment and drug supplies. Dr Mohammed Abu Nada, medical director of the Gaza Cancer Centre, says that his patients are staring down “a slow death sentence”. The blockade also includes shelter materials agreed to enter in the so-called ceasefire agreement. People in Gaza are now spending their third winter in makeshift shelters made from potato sacks, clothing, and tarpaulin. Doctors Without Borders describes the blockade as disproportionately affecting babies, who are “suffering from severe cold” inside these shelters, something Israel knows will happen. In December, at least 15 people, including babies, died from hypothermia following heavy rains and plunging temperatures. By blocking aid and humanitarian organisations and denying freedom of movement in and out of Gaza and the West Bank, Israel exerts total control. This is a designated illegal occupation, designed to suffocate a population and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land. I call on you to urgently: - Impose full, comprehensive sanctions on Israel. Enforce a complete two-way trade embargo, ending all import and export activity. Immediately end all arms sales and intelligence cooperation. Ensure unimpeded access for aid and humanitarian organisations.