UN, international agencies renew call for ending humanitarian suffering in Gaza

Heads of several UN and international agencies on Monday renewed their demands to end the "appalling human suffering and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza." According to a statement issued on Monday, Heads of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) urgently called for a sustainable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire as "the only way to end civilian suffering and save lives." They noted that more than 41,000 Palestinians have been martyred in Gaza - the majority of them civilians "and sometimes entire families" - while more than 95,000 people have been injured, a quarter of whom will require lifelong rehabilitation and specialized care. They added that more than two million Palestinians lack the basic necessities for survival, while the threat of famine looms over Gaza. They urged world leaders to use their influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice - "through diplomatic pressure and cooperatio n in ending impunity." Source: Jordan News Agency