Parliamentarians and Legal Experts Urge States to Uphold Legal Duties and Support Diplomatic Convoy to Gaza Amid Deliberate Starvation
On 29 May 2025, Law for Palestine, in partnership with Al Haq and Human Rights Watch, hosted an urgent webinar titled “Starvation as a Weapon: International Legal Responsibilities and the Diplomatic Convoy to Confront Deliberate Famine in Gaza.” The event brought together leading civil society, medical and legal experts to address the deliberate famine in Gaza, resulting from the use of starvation as a weapon, and the states legal responsibilities to confront it, including through the Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy.
The conversation goes beyond humanitarian concerns -after 600 days of genocide, marking the deadliest phase of the 77-year Nakba, Gaza’s famine has persisted for nearly three months amid alarming international inaction and impunity. With over 150 participants worldwide, this webinar calls for concrete actions to end the deliberate starvation.
Moderated by Anisha Patel (Governing Council Member Law for Palestine), the event featured seven distinguished experts: Dr. Marwan Al-Hams (Director of field hospitals- Gaza), Prof. Michael Fakhri (UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food), MEP. Lynn Boylan (Member of the European Parliament, Chair of delegation for relations with Palestine), Dr. Ralph Wilde (International Law Expert, University College London), Adnan Abu Hasna (UNRWA spokesperson), Amjad Shawa (Director of Palestinian non-governmental organizations network (PNGO)- Gaza) and MEP Marc Botenga (Member of the European Parliament – Committee of Foreign Affairs).
Dr. Marwan Al-Hams on the Dire Medical Crisis and Urgent Appeal for Medical Assistance
Speaking on the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, Dr. Marwan described an unimaginable humanitarian collapse after over 600 days of the Israeli genocidal campaign. “Hospitals are overflowing with patients and the wounded, especially in intensive care and specialized units. There are no free beds — the only way a bed becomes available is if someone dies,” he said.
Malnutrition affects people of all ages, with newborns, pregnant women, and children suffering the most from extreme food and milk shortages. Anemia is now alarmingly widespread. Dr. Al-Hams shared devastating statistics: 54,250 people have been killed — not mere numbers, but lives with dreams and stories. Among the 124,000 injured are amputees, individuals with permanent disabilities, and those who have lost their sight — 73% of whom are women and children. The death toll includes 16,854 children, making up 31% of all casualties; 931 of them were under one year old. Tragically, 356 newborns were born and killed during the genocide, and 60 children have died from starvation.
“If the war continues at this pace, no one will remain alive in Gaza”
The medical infrastructure lies in ruins: of Gaza’s 38 hospitals, 22 have been completely destroyed, while 12 operate at far below minimum capacity. After three months of siege, hospital bed occupancy has reached 106%, with many lost to bombings or forced evacuations. Just yesterday, at Al-Awda Hospital, 160 patients and staff were forced to evacuate under Israeli orders, without any safety guarantees. Dr. Al-Hams concluded his remarks by urgently calling for four immediate steps: 1) an end to the genocide, 2) entry of food, medical aid, and clean water, 3) deployment of medical personnel, and 4) establishment of field hospitals across Gaza, as none remain operational.
Proffessor Michael Fakhri on Starvation as a Tool of Genocide and the Responsibilities of States
Professor Michael Fakhri described the current phase of Israel’s starvation campaign against Palestinians as the most horrific and brutal to date. He contextualized the past 80 days within a 25-year blockade on Gaza, dating back to the year 2000. Since 9 October 2023, he noted, starvation has been deliberately used to displace and weaken Palestinians in Gaza. By early March 2025, Israel had imposed a total blockade on food, medicine, and water – despite arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu, which include the use of starvation as a war crime.
Fakhri stressed that starvation is a genocidal tool aiming to eliminate Palestinians, making Israel liable under international law. He also highlighted Israeli plans for the indefinite occupation and annexation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, referencing Netanyahu’s UN speech in which he displayed a map of Israel that completely erased Palestinian territory.
He condemned the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” a US-Israeli aligned private entity controlling aid flow, calling out Israel and the US for openly using aid as leverage and a “negotiating tactic” which they admitted. Fakhri noted UNICEF’s rare condemnation of Israel’s humanitarian plan, which it described as “bait” for those in need of aid.
“We’re now at the phase to ask what is to be done.” All states have a duty to end the genocide, starvation, and illegal occupation, as reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which demands Israel’s immediate withdrawal from occupied territory and reparations for justice as well as Palestinian self-determination and the right to return.
“If civilians risk their lives, the bare minimum is for diplomats to act.”
Fakhri highlighted that over 800 organizations are backing the call for a diplomatic convoy. Civilian efforts like the Freedom Flotilla were violently attacked, yet “if civilians risk their lives, the bare minimum is for diplomats to act.” He called for aid to enter Gaza by any means necessary.
MEP Lynn Boylan: Joining the Diplomatic Convoy to Gaza Is the “Bare Minimum”
Lynn, a Member of the European Parliament, denounced Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon, stating that it has evolved from a longstanding method of control into a deliberate strategy for ethnic cleansing in Gaza. She described the agenda of the Israeli government as one that aims to dismantle international law and existing humanitarian mechanisms as well as delegitimize the presence of UNRWA.
Lynn stressed that the world is witnessing a genocide sustained by silence and complicity.
She called for concrete actions: the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a comprehensive arms embargo, and the imposition of sanctions. She further urged the EU to reject the legitimacy of alternative aid mechanisms that serve political agendas which have dire consequences on the people of Gaza. Every EU member state has both a legal and moral obligation to respond and the EU’s inaction is a form of endorsement of Israel’s violations, Lynn described.
“If the EU truly wants to see an end to this genocide, it must act decisively, not just with statements, but with bold and unified action”
She insisted that joining the diplomatic convoy to Gaza is the “bare minimum,” and ended saying that if the EU truly wants to see an end to this genocide, it must act decisively, not just with statements, but with bold and unified action. She mentioned current initiatives including the call to the UN General Assembly to send peacekeepers, an attempt to halt the sale of war bombs to Israel, and others.
Dr. Ralph Wilde: Israel Lacks Sovereign Authority Over Access to Occupied Palestinian Territory
Dr. Ralph emphasized the landmark significance of the International Court of Justice’s 2024 Advisory Opinion, which confirmed a fundamental approach in how international law views the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Dr. Ralph highlighted that Israel’s presence itself—not just its actions—in the occupied territory is illegal and that it lacks any entitlement to operate in the oPt on any grounds.
According to the ICJ, all of Israel’s actions in the territory are unlawful, regardless of whether they are accompanied by violence or violations of humanitarian law. As such, states are under clear legal obligations: to actively work to end Israel’s presence, to refuse recognition of its legitimacy, and to refrain from any form of assistance. Dr. Dr. Dr. Ralph stressed that this includes imposing a full and comprehensive embargo—far beyond merely avoiding support that might contribute to war crimes. Dr. Ralph explained that even if Israel’s conduct were entirely humane, its continued presence would still constitute a breach of fundamental international law, and states would remain bound to act.
“Since Israel holds no sovereign authority in the oPt, it has no legal standing to determine who may enter the territory”
He urged states to confront the exceptional nature of Israel’s violations and to stop denying their legal responsibilities. Since Israel holds no sovereign authority in the oPt, it has no legal standing to determine who may enter the territory. Therefore, states should coordinate with the representatives of the Palestinian people to send a protective international presence and facilitate the entry of UNRWA and other UN agencies to deliver urgent humanitarian relief.
Adnan Abu Hasna on Operational Challenges and Humanitarian Crisis on the Ground in Gaza
Adnan Abu Hasna provided a stark update on the dire situation in Gaza, highlighting the severe obstacles faced by humanitarian actors. He explained that UNRWA, which has operated in Gaza since 1950 with 13,000 staff and extensive logistical network, is now being deliberately obliterated.
“Israel controls all movement and access in Gaza, yet it is boycotting UNRWA’s operations,” he said. Abu Hasna warned of an Israeli strategy aimed at dismantling the very backbone of humanitarian aid in Gaza, with Netanyahu openly linking the destruction of UNRWA to the erasure of the Palestinian refugee cause and the collapse of any prospects for a two-state solution.
Since March 2nd, Israel has sought to replace UNRWA with the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” which Abu Hasna described as a dangerous development that further jeopardizes relief efforts. He also cautioned that even UNRWA’s decades of experience might not be enough to manage aid distribution in Gaza’s current climate of desperation and anger, underlining the urgent need for sustained, unrestricted humanitarian access.
Amjad Shawa on The Urgency and Dignity Behind the Proposed Diplomatic Convoy
Amjad Shawa highlighted the critical importance of the proposed diplomatic convoy amid Gaza’s ongoing crisis. He criticized the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” calling it instead the “Gaza Humiliation Foundation,” as an intentional insult and humiliation to Palestinians, emphasizing that while food aid is desperately needed, what Gaza truly requires is protection and dignity. “We receive daily calls asking for basics like bread and rice, but aid without respect is not enough,” he said.
“The ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’ is not about aid, it’s a deliberate insult and humiliation to Palestinians”
Shawa stressed that the proposed diplomatic convoy is vital to drawing international attention to Gaza’s plight. Reflecting on over 600 days of suffering, he condemned the international community for its failure to act, saying that they closed their eyes and ears, leaving people in Gaza questioning the meaning of human rights. He called for real action to end the famine and ongoing genocide, insisting that words must now translate into concrete measures – and affirming the hope of the people of Gaza, who are waiting for this diplomatic convoy.
MEP Marc Botenga: Diplomatic Convoy Can Amplify Pressure on Those Funding the Genocide
Marc Botenga sharply criticized the European Union’s response to the crisis, calling it shameful and impossible to defend. He emphasized that the situation in Gaza is clear, and any claim of uncertainty is a deliberate political choice with serious legal consequences.
Botenga highlighted the EU’s unique and privileged relationship with Israel, which grants Israel significant advantages. Despite Europe’s substantial political and legal capacity to influence the situation, he said the response has been limited to token humanitarian aid, with governments largely turning a blind eye to Israel’s grave violations.
“Not to act is a political choice”
He pointed to a growing disconnect between European governments and their people, noting increased repression of solidarity movements and rising popular pressure for action. In this context, Botenga underscored the diplomatic convoy’s importance as a means to amplify pressure on those funding the genocide and to demand real change.
Conclusion
The panel discussion made clear that the current crisis in Gaza is not only a humanitarian catastrophe but also a profound challenge to international legal and moral responsibilities. As speakers detailed the dire medical conditions, the illegal nature of Israel’s occupation, and the manipulation of aid, a unified message emerged: states and international actors must move beyond words to meaningful, coordinated action.
Joining and supporting the diplomatic convoy symbolizes this urgent call — a demand to break the siege, deliver life-saving aid, and confront the ongoing genocide with justice and dignity. The global community can no longer stand by in silence; the time to uphold human rights, enforce international law, and restore Palestinian self-determination is long overdue.