Gaza Starvation Crisis Demands Congressional Action

I write to urge your leadership in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On July 29, 2025, the United Nations–supported Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that two of the three internationally recognized famine thresholds—food consumption and acute malnutrition—have been exceeded. Much of Gaza is experiencing famine-level conditions. Confirmed starvation deaths are rising, and modeling shows the toll could grow without urgent action. Restore and Codify Safeguards on U.S. Military Aid In 2024, President Biden issued National Security Memorandum 20 (NSM-20), requiring recipients of U.S. military aid to follow international humanitarian law. This safeguard was revoked in February 2025. I urge Congress to restore and codify these protections to ensure U.S. weapons are not used to obstruct humanitarian access or inflict collective punishment. Demand Full Humanitarian Access Please support Senate Resolution S. Res. 244 and House Resolution H. Res. 473, which call for unimpeded humanitarian access. Since March 2, 2025, Israel has enforced a complete blockade, sharply limiting food, fuel, and medicine. Aid groups warn that without open land routes, the death toll will climb rapidly. Fund and Protect Neutral Aid Providers Congress should restore funding for humanitarian agencies such as UNRWA, the World Food Programme, and Médecins Sans Frontières. These groups follow neutral humanitarian principles and are positioned to deliver aid effectively. Funding should not be routed through politicized or militarized frameworks. Support Independent Humanitarian Corridors I urge support for diplomatic efforts to establish secure, internationally monitored land corridors into Gaza. These must operate independently of armed actors to ensure safe and effective relief. Uphold International Humanitarian Norms Blocking humanitarian aid may constitute the use of starvation as a method of warfare. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued warrants based on this allegation. While the U.S. has not supported those proceedings, we must act in accordance with international norms and avoid complicity. For these reasons, I urge you to restore aid safeguards, demand access, fund neutral providers, and support independent corridors. The United States must act swiftly to save lives.