Hollywood actor and human rights activist Mark Ruffalo has condemned the “man-made famine” in Gaza, calling it a crime against humanity.
A famine was declared in Gaza on Friday, August 22, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) saying that a quarter of Palestinians - more than 500,000 people - are starving.
One expert has said "thousands of needless deaths" could occur if the siege on Gaza continues, describing the situation as a "man-made famine."
Ruffalo echoed that statement in a raw plea posted on his Instagram account.
The Marvel star pleaded with the President and leaders in Europe and the UK to take action to end the famine, which he described as a "man-made criminal act to kill civilian populations."
He told followers, "It's being perpetrated by Israel and the IDF.
"They have all the food in the world on one side of the border. And on the other side, they have nothing." The actor, 57, added, "Don't let Gaza starve. Speak up. Don't stop until there's a just and lasting peace.
"Yes, we must stop this, we must bring the hostages home. And we must stop the killing of the children. More than 80% of the people who have died in this war are civilians. It's insane.
"Do something. President Trump, do something. You say you care about starving people, you say you want to stop war - do something! Germany, do something. Europe, do something, UK, do something! We're gonna sit here and watch this happen? It's insane.
"It's heartbreaking. Do something." Continuing his pleas in the caption, Ruffalo said "It is a crime against humanity."
"Forced starvation, a man-made famine — children and families wasting away while the world looks on in silence," he continued. "This is not a natural disaster. This is the result of deliberate choices made by those in power.
"World leaders: your silence is complicity. Your inaction is enabling this suffering. We cannot stand by while an entire people are starved. Humanity demands more of us. DO SOMETHING!
"Raise your voices. Demand an end to this famine. Demand and end to the genocide and destruction. Demand accountability. Demand life."
View this post on Instagram
Gaza has been under siege and bombardment for nearly two years since Israel declared war in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 200 Israelis kidnapped.
Around 60,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed, with 149,000 injured since Israel launched its offensive.
It is now thought that deaths from starvation will soar if a thorough humanitarian response cannot get into Gaza. Since 1977, the UN has deemed starvation as a war crime and an act of genocide.
Follow the latest news on Google News
