Over 4,000 scientists call for end to humanitarian crisis in Gaza

More than 4,000 scientists worldwide have urged the Israeli government to bring an immediate end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to a recently released joint statement. Among the signatories are 14 Nobel laureates and five renowned mathematicians who have received the Fields Medal.

The statement said, “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening every day. An artificial shortage of food has created a famine-like situation, which is entirely unacceptable.”

The statement has been sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon.

It further added, “The denial of medical facilities to the people of Gaza, the deprivation of educational opportunities for children, the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure including universities, and the blatant disregard for the rights and lives of ordinary people have deeply shocked us.”

The scientists also condemned Hamas for the attack it carried out in Israel in October 2023 and for the inhumane treatment of hostages, calling on the group to release them immediately. At the same time, they emphasised that the killing of innocent people or the death of children can in no way be justified.

The statement noted that more than 10,000 civilians have already been killed in Gaza, including at least 1,000 children under the age of one. These events were described as horrific crimes and strongly condemned.

Calling for urgent action in the interest of humanity, the scientists said, “Immediate steps must be taken. We urge governments and international institutions worldwide to make every effort to halt this tragedy.”

Among the signatories are Fields Medal-winning mathematicians Alessio Figalli (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) and David B. Mumford (Professor Emeritus, Harvard and Brown University, USA). European scientists constitute the largest group of signatories, followed by North American scientists.