A Crime Against Humanity Is Happening on Our Watch: Gaza is Starving and the World Must Not Look Away

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DLTLF

Published

19 August 2025

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Be the Light — A Call for Support

The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation joins the growing international outcry over the deliberate and systematic starvation of civilians in Gaza. The scale of suffering is unimaginable and unconscionable. We are witnessing not a natural disaster but a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, the result of ongoing siege, displacement, bombardment, and now, the weaponisation of hunger.

This is a complete moral failure, and a violation of international humanitarian law. It demands urgent action from governments, organisations, and individuals around the world. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has stated that it is delivering 1.2million meals per day. This is not even enough food for every person in Gaza to have a single meal a day. That hundreds of people have also lost their lives in the process of seeking food at distribution points should shock our conscience.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a tireless voice for the oppressed and a steadfast supporter of Palestinian dignity, warned the world many times about the consequences of turning a blind eye to Israeli impunity. In a 2014 article on the situation of the occupation of Palestine, he wrote:

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

The situation in Gaza today is worse than ever before. Children are dying from malnutrition and dehydration. Medical systems have collapsed. Food convoys are obstructed, aid workers killed, and international relief efforts thwarted. This is not collateral damage to a just war. It is the result of deliberate policy choices – and amounts to deliberate crimes against humanity.

At the same time, the ongoing captivity of Israeli hostages remains a grave humanitarian concern. Their continued detention by Hamas violates international law and undermines the possibility of peace. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. Justice and peace cannot be built on collective punishment or hostage-taking. All civilian lives must be protected – without exception.

We must also acknowledge the deepening challenge of extremism across the world. The violent ideologies and militarised strategies pursued by both state and non-state actors have pushed us further from a just peace. We reject the narrative that equates all resistance with terrorism, just as we reject any effort to justify war crimes under the guise of self-defence. Moral clarity requires that we oppose all forms of dehumanisation, vengeance, and indiscriminate violence – no matter who commits them.

In this light we support the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine. A total of 17 countries, along with the EU and the Arab League, support the wording agreed upon during the UN conference earlier this week. This includes a commitment to,

“strong opposition to all illegal actions — from both sides — that undermine the viability of the two-state solution, including settlement activities. We committed to taking practical measures… to support the Palestinian people in realizing their right to self-determination, and to counter the illegal settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as well as policies and threats of forced displacement and annexation.”

This moment demands courage, consistency, and global solidarity.

We are encouraged by the growing number of countries that are beginning to stand for justice and accountability. France, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and others are beginning to show what principled international leadership looks like, through legal action at the International Criminal Court, diplomatic recognition of Palestinian statehood, and suspension of military cooperation with belligerent actors. We are pleased at Sweden’s action to try to freeze the trade portion of the EU’s association agreement with Israel. We need sustained and effective pressure to be put on the Israeli government to stand against war crimes. The emerging actions of these countries offer hope in a world often paralysed by power politics and moral hypocrisy.

We therefore make the following urgent calls:

An immediate and unconditional ceasefire to stop the killing and allow for unfettered humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
The full restoration of humanitarian corridors, including the opening of all land crossings and maritime access points for food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.
The immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages held in violation of international law.
Increased boycotts, divestments, and international sanctions to end the aiding and abetting of Israeli war crimes.
The suspension of arms transfers to any parties involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Robust support for Palestinian civil society, and for long-term reconstruction and justice-based peace processes rooted in international law and equal rights.

As Archbishop Tutu said, “Those who turn a blind eye to injustice actually perpetuate injustice.” Silence is complicity. The people of Gaza are not collateral damage. They are mothers and fathers, children and elders, artists, teachers, and dreamers – all deserving of the same rights, dignity, and safety as any of us.

As a Foundation rooted in the legacy of justice, compassion, and resistance to oppression, we will not look away. And we call on the world not to look away either.