A group of 55 Hollywood actors and artists have signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden asking him to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Among the artists who signed the letter are Joaquin Phoenixthe Cate BlanchettThe John Stewartthe Kristen Stewartthe Susan SarandonThe Riz Ahmed The Rami Youssef and others.

“We call on your government and all world leaders to honor all lives in the Holy Land and to call for and facilitate the declaration of a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombardment of Gaza and the safe release of the hostages,” they stress in their letter.

“We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing. As the head of UN humanitarian operations, Martin Griffiths, said, “History is watching.”they add.

“Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach (the people of Gaza),” the artists emphasize.

The letter also includes a comment from UNICEF representative James Elder, who highlights the devastating effects of the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and blockade on the residents of the Gaza Strip.

“Children and families in Gaza are virtually without food, water, electricity, medicine and safe access to hospitals after days of airstrikes and the blockade of supply routes,” explains Elder.

“On Wednesday afternoon, the only power plant in Gaza ran out of fuel, cutting off electricity, water and sewage treatment (…) The humanitarian situation has reached a deadly low and yet the information speaks for further attacks. Compassion and international law must prevail”, he emphasizes.

Earlier this week the team Artists for Palestine UK issued another letter requesting the declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Palestinian enclave. This announcement was signed by, among others, Tilda Swinton, Mike Lee, Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan.

In their letter, the artists accused the British government of “not only tolerating the commission of war crimes, but helping to commit them.”