1. United States
2. Letter

The plan reportedly being considered by the Israeli government to cut off aid to civilians in northern Gaza would likely cause immense human suffering and violate international humanitarian laws prohibiting the use of starvation as a weapon of war. While the conflict with Hamas militants is severe, depriving hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians of food, water, medicine and other essentials cannot be justified. Such an action would rightly draw global condemnation as a war crime. I urge the administration to speak out forcefully against any attempt to implement this unconscionable policy. The United States must make clear its categorical opposition to any deliberate measures that would imperil civilian lives and insist on Israel's full compliance with the Geneva Conventions and laws of armed conflict. Failing to denounce this plan risks enabling grievous violations and undermining America's standing as a champion of human rights. Decisive leadership is needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and uphold the rules-based international order.