The Truman National Security Project calls for urgent and immediate action to prevent a man-made famine of historic proportions from affecting more than 2.1 million Palestinians living in Gaza. Regardless of one’s politics or policies regarding the conflict, we are outraged that people are starving because leaders choose to deny them food. This situation is preventable and we must act.

The Israeli government’s near-total blockade of aid to the territory has compounded an already desperate situation. With an estimated 60,000 Palestinians killed and counting, the destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza, and the removal of nearly every established international organization’s ground operations, those who have survived nearly two years of a brutal war and life under the rule of Hamas, a terrorist organization, now face starvation.

Members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government have made clear that throughout this conflict, civilians have been punished to defeat Hamas. It is clear that, absent urgent actions by the United States, Israel, and Hamas, thousands more men, women, and children will die. The Truman Project recognizes the complexity of this conflict; our call to action is not taken lightly.

Actions must be taken to protect the humanity and security of both the Palestinian and Israeli people; enable the flow of aid into Gaza; ensure that Gazans can safely access that aid without fear of being harmed or killed; protect the safety, access, and movement of humanitarian aid and healthcare workers; and return all remaining hostages home. Reaching a permanent ceasefire is essential to prevent further death.

Specifically;

We call on the Government of Israel to:

• Open all formal border crossings and ports of entry (land, air and sea) to established international aid organizations with supplies waiting on the borders;
• Expand the area in which humanitarian assistance can be provided (with nearly 90% of Gaza’s population forced to live in 12% of Gaza’s original territory, health conditions worsen, and safe, effective distribution of aid is nearly impossible);
• Pause all aerial and artillery bombardments so that humanitarian assistance and health care providers can safely administer that assistance;
• Re-engage with the previously established communications and deconfliction mechanisms designed to enable safe movement of aid workers inside Gaza without fear of being fired upon by Israeli military units;
• Rapidly approve international humanitarian and healthcare workers to access Gaza;
• Permit international organizations to bring new trucks, spare parts, and other related equipment required for the provision and storage of aid in Gaza;
• Allow independent monitors and press access to Gaza.

We call on Hamas to:

• Cease from storing, or otherwise operating munitions in areas where humanitarian aid is being staged or provided;
• Stop firing rockets and ensure the same by all other armed groups in Gaza, so that people can access life-saving assistance;
• Cooperate with deconfliction mechanisms to enable safe movement of aid workers in Gaza;
• Allow for the free movement of Palestinians and aid workers in Gaza, including to any expanded areas permitted for humanitarian operations;
• Not divert humanitarian aid, health care supplies, or other equipment;
• Not interfere with or prevent international efforts that provide aid oversight;
• Cooperate to ensure that humanitarian aid goes to its intended recipients;
• Allow international monitors and press unhindered access inside Gaza;
• Immediately release all the remaining hostages held captive in Gaza for 665 days, who are also facing starvation and death.

We call on the Trump Administration and U.S. Congress to:

• Use all measures available to them to incentivize the Israeli government to take the above actions, including through targeted visa bans, sanctions, limiting the provision of military assistance, enforcing U.S. and international law on military assistance, and cooperating with allies at the United Nations and beyond;
• Provide emergency aid, medical supplies, trucks, fuel, and other equipment to store, move and provide assistance;
• Enforce U.S. laws against foreign terrorist groups, such as Hamas, while ensuring that theselaws don’t prevent credible aid groups from providing life-saving assistance to civilians;
• Redirect funding from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to credible, neutral, international humanitarian organizations.

A growing number of credible, independent entities, including Israeli organizations, have reached findings that the Israeli government is carrying out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. We take these allegations seriously and are compelled to action as a community of national security professionals who have served in humanitarian missions, at the highest levels of our government, and on the front lines of war.

We also recognize that 50 hostages from Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7th, 2023, remain in captivity. We call for their immediate return to their families and for the remains of those already killed to be brought home.

Over the long term, accountability for all actors will be necessary for conduct during the entirety of the war and the October 7 attacks. Truth and justice efforts must be sustained in the years to come. True peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved by a new approach to the conflict that prioritizes human life and dignity in a land that both people call home.

Right now, urgent action is necessary—and possible—to save lives.

For press inquiries or other outreach, contact press@trumanproject.org

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The Truman National Security Project is a nationwide community of diverse national security leaders working to develop strong, smart, and principled solutions to the most pressing national security challenges facing our nation.

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