A year after its founding, the “United Staff for Gaza” group renewed its calls for international action on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the crisis continues to worsen and demanding greater accountability for violations committed against civilians. This statement was issued to mark the initiative’s first anniversary.
The group, comprised of current and former UN staff members, stated that it was established on July 27, 2015, to amplify the voices of those working within and outside the organization to advocate for civilians in Gaza, promote respect for international humanitarian law, and demand accountability for those responsible for violations.
In its annual statement, signed by the group’s president, Andrew Gilmour, Gilmour noted that a year since the initiative’s launch has not altered the scale of the crisis in the Gaza Strip. He asserted that the humanitarian situation remains dire and that the delivery of aid to civilians continues to face significant obstacles.
The group added that the continued deterioration of living conditions in Gaza threatens a return to dangerous levels of food insecurity, citing warnings from global food security organizations about the risks of a worsening hunger crisis among the population.
The statement accused Israel of committing what it described as “serious violations of international law,” and said that what is happening in Gaza represents one of the greatest challenges the United Nations has faced in its history. It noted that a number of UN staff members have decided not to remain silent in the face of what they consider violations against civilians.
The statement also addressed the situation in the West Bank, where the group accused Israel of escalating military operations and expanding settlements. It pointed to the increasing frequency of settler attacks and demanded accountability for violations against Palestinians.
