UN Rights Chief Warns Israel's Gaza Blockade May Constitute War Crime

Thursday 21 March 2024 - 14:40

United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk has issued a stern warning, expressing grave concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip. He cautioned that Israel's persistent blockade on aid entry and its aggressive actions against the coastal enclave could potentially be viewed as a war crime involving the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare.

Turk's remarks, delivered through his spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Tuesday, emphasized the pressing nature of the situation in Gaza. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), approximately 1.1 million people half of the population are facing the looming threat of famine. The UN official stressed the imperative for Israel to guarantee the provision of essential food and medical assistance to the populace and to facilitate the efforts of humanitarian organizations in delivering aid.

The dire circumstances in Gaza have been further exacerbated by the relentless Israeli offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of over 30,700 civilians, including a staggering 13,000 children, since its onset. With the conflict persisting, the death toll continues to rise, leaving behind a trail of devastation and anguish.

International organizations have raised alarms regarding the plight of Gaza's most vulnerable residents. Last week, UNICEF reported that tens of thousands of children are suffering from acute malnutrition, with some lacking the energy even to cry. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, in an interview with CBS News on Sunday, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, "Thousands more have been injured, or we can't even determine where they are. They may be stuck under rubble…we haven't witnessed such a rate of child mortality in almost any other conflict globally."

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has also shared alarming statistics, indicating that one in three children under the age of two in northern Gaza is currently suffering from acute malnourishment. The agency has cautioned about an impending famine in the besieged enclave, which has endured relentless Israeli bombing for over five months.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Turk's emphatic statement amplifies the international community's demands for Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and ensure the unimpeded flow of aid to the besieged population. The potential classification of the blockade as a war crime underscores the urgency of addressing the dire situation and preventing further loss of life.