Washington (Agencies): Hundreds of medical professionals from Doctors Against Genocide (DAG) gathered at Capitol Hill on Wednesday, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Holding loaves of bread, they chanted “Bread Not Bombs!” and “Let The Children Eat!”, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave.
The rally comes as Palestinians, including one million children, face starvation, disease, and death due to Israel’s tightened blockade. The UN World Food Programme recently warned that its food supplies for Gaza have been completely depleted, leaving 2.4 million residents without essential aid since Israel shut border crossings in early March.
Karameh Kuemmerle, a Boston-based pediatric neurologist, denounced Israel’s actions, stating, “The Israeli government’s deliberate malnutrition, starvation, and attack on healthcare in Gaza could lead to the extermination of tens of thousands of children.”
Dr. Brennan Bollman, who recently returned from Gaza, described the situation as “zero aid and zero food” for eight weeks, and shared the resilience of Palestinian healthcare workers, many of whom returned to work immediately after losing family members.
The rally also reignited calls for accountability, with Israel facing war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, citing crimes against humanity. Israel is also under trial at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide.
As the crisis deepens, DAG continues to push for action, urging US lawmakers to demand an immediate ceasefire and ensure lifesaving humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.