A group of prominent economists, including ten who are Nobel Prize winners, have penned a letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand that he ceases the forced starvation of Gaza and plans to completely occupy the territory.
The letter was shared by author and economist Daron Acemoglu on social media platform X.
It starts with a warning, reading: "We write with urgent concern about the spreading starvation in Gaza and the Israeli government’s plan to concentrate civilians in a so-called ‘humanitarian city.’ As human beings and as economists and scientists, we call for an immediate halt to any policy that intensifies widespread starvation."
Some of the signatories of the letter include: Angus Deaton, Peter A. Diamond, Esther Duflo, Claudia Goldin, Eric S. Maskin, Roger B. Myerson, Edmund S. Phelps, Christopher A. Pissarides, and Joseph E. Stiglitz.
The letter came after another child died due to Israeli starvation of Gaza on Friday, taking the toll of those who have died due to malnutrition to 240 people, including 107 children.
Israel has for months completely cut off aid from Gaza, before recently only allowing in very limited aid into the enclave.
The forced starvation has triggered international outrage, while aid remains rotting at land crossings due to Israel refusing entry.
In the letter, the economists further lambasted the Israel and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) which started operating in May after Israel stopped UNRWA and other UN agencies from managing the distribution of aid.
The GHF, which has US military personnel and contractors working at distribution sites, has been denounced by rights groups around the globe for forcing civilians into cramped military zones where stampedes and shootings of aid seekers have occurred.
The economists said the GHF was "deadly" and noted that since it started operating, at least 1,700 Palestinians have been killed at sites due to Israeli forces and contractors opening fire at them.
The letter goes on to criticise the so-called "humanitarian city" in Rafah. It reads: "Under the guise of relief, the proposed ‘humanitarian city’ would relocate hundreds of thousands of Gazans into a confined zone, stripping them of freedom of movement and basic dignity."
It moves on to denounce Netanyahu’s plans to occupy all of Gaza, starting with Gaza City. The plan has already been rejected by countries and governments around the world and comes after the UK, France, Malta, and Australia said they may recognise a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly in September.
The economists went on to warn in the letter that if Israel proceeds with its plan, then European governments will likely place targeted sanctions on them, which will in turn have a significant impact on science, trade and employment.
It further adds that credit-rating agencies may downgrade 'Israel’s' sovereign debt, increasing borrowing costs amid mounting reconstruction and defence expenses, and that skilled workers, particularly in the tech sector, could leave the country".
The letter ends by pushing for a ceasefire and calling on Israel to abide by human rights and international laws.