The full message of Pir Hossein Kolivand to Mirjana Spoljaric Egger reads as follows:  

Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger                                                                      
President

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Subject: Urgent Appeal Concerning the Starvation Crisis and Grave Breaches of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza

Dear President,

On behalf of the Iranian Red Crescent Society and Iranian National Committee on Humanitarian Law, we write to express our deepest concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation unfolding in Gaza. Based on alarming reports from the United Nations, UN World Food Programme (WFP), and The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Gaza has been facing conditions leading to mass starvation and human devastation for some time, and now the severity of the situation has dramatically increased. According to Mr. Ross Smith from the WFP, a quarter of Gaza’s population is enduring famine-like conditions, with nearly 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition requiring urgent treatment. UNRWA has confirmed that since the end of May, over 1,000 people have died from starvation alone. Eyewitness reports and investigations also indicate that Israeli tanks and snipers have opened fire on civilians gathered to receive food aid—an unconscionable act in violation of the most fundamental rules of International Humanitarian Law. The widespread and systematic nature of this suffering call for immediate and forceful action from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

International Criminal Nature of Israel’s Heinous Acts

The Iranian Red Crescent Society, together with the Iranian National Committee on Humanitarian Law, in line with their duties under international humanitarian mandates, has closely monitored these tragic developments. We emphasize that these grave breaches—particularly the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare—must be urgently documented, condemned, and addressed by all relevant authorities and international mechanisms. These acts are qualified as genocide under Article 6(c) of the Rome Statute and Article II(c) of the 1948 Genocide Convention, which criminalize the deliberate inflicting of conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of a group in whole or in part. The widespread and systematic deprivation of access to food, water, and medical care in Gaza, accompanied by documented evidence of special intent, strongly supports such a legal qualification. There is no crime more severe than genocide, which the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has referred to as the ‘crime of crimes’. The prohibition of genocide is a peremptory norm of general international law (jus cogens), and its commission entails erga omnes obligations. All States, therefore, have a binding duty to take all possible measures to halt the ongoing genocide in Gaza and to stop providing any kind of assistance to Israel.

In parallel, the recent criminal conducts by Israel may constitute crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. In particular, they amount to: murder, extermination (Article 7(1)(a) & (b)), deportation or forcible transfer of population (Article 7(1)(d)), and other inhumane acts of similar nature intentionally causing great suffering or serious injury (Article 7(1)(k)) of the Rome Statute. Moreover, multiple provisions of Article 8 on war crimes are clearly engaged. These include: willful killing, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health (Article 8(2)(a)(i) and (iii)), and—most egregiously—intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance mission (Article 8(2)(b)(xxv)) of the Rome Statute, acts which are strictly prohibited under the International Law of Armed Conflict. The deliberate targeting of humanitarian convoys, obstruction of aid, and use of starvation as a method of warfare constitute some of the gravest crimes under international law and require an immediate, unequivocal response.

Urgent Call for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Coordinated Action

In light of the above, we urge the ICRC to immediately activate its full capacity in humanitarian diplomacy to engage with all parties to the conflict. We respectfully request that the ICRC enter into urgent dialogue with all National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the IFRC, and relevant States to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access and delivery of life-saving aid. It is imperative that the ICRC assert its neutral and independent role to ensure that international humanitarian obligations are upheld and that the suffering of civilians in Gaza is not further prolonged by inaction or silence. Furthermore, we call on the ICRC to actively lobby and collaborate with relevant international organizations and bodies, including the United Nations and regional entities, to galvanize political will and secure concrete commitments that guarantee the safe and swift passage of humanitarian assistance. By leveraging its unique position and credibility, the ICRC can play a pivotal role in mobilizing global support and ensuring that effective measures are taken to alleviate the humanitarian crisis without delay.

Sincerely,

Dr. Pirhossein Kolivand

President

Iranian Red Crescent Society and National Committee on Humanitarian Law

Islamic Republic of Iran