The U.N. human rights chief says Israel’s restrictions on aid entering Gaza and its conduct of war against Hamas could amount to use of starvation as a “method of war, which is a war crime.” Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, made the comments in a statement from his office a day after the world community’s authority on food crises said famine was “imminent” in war-battered northern Gaza in particular.
Quick Read
- The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, stated that Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza and its war conduct against Hamas might constitute the war crime of using starvation as a method of war. This follows warnings of imminent famine in northern Gaza.
- Türk emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to ensure unobstructed aid delivery to Gaza to prevent famine and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
- In response, Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva defended its actions, highlighting its efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and accusing the U.N. and Hamas of responsibility for the situation. Israel clarified that its conflict is with Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and called on the U.N. to increase its efforts.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN Human Rights Chief: Gaza aid restrictions could amount to war crime
Newslooks- GENEVA — (AP)
The U.N. human rights chief says Israel’s restrictions on aid entering Gaza and its conduct of war against Hamas could amount to use of starvation as a “method of war, which is a war crime.”
Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, made the comments in a statement from his office a day after the world community’s authority on food crises said famine was “imminent” in war-battered northern Gaza in particular.
“The projected imminent famine in Gaza can and must be prevented,” Türk said. He said law and order was breaking down, and people were forced to “coping strategies” in the midst of a lack of food.
“The extent of Israel’s continued restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, together with the manner in which it continues to conduct hostilities, may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war, which is a war crime,” he said.
He said “the clock is ticking” and called on everyone in the international community — “especially those with influence” — to insist that Israel facilitate the unimpeded entry of aid into Gaza to avert the risk of famine.
Türk reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
In a statement, Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva shot back, saying it had “sounded alarm bells for years on Hamas, its diversion of aid, and its use of the Palestinian people as human shields.”
It said that had been “ignored” by Türk, “who seeks once again to blame Israel for the situation and completely absolve the responsibility of the U.N. and Hamas.”
“Despite the rockets, the holding of our hostages, the acts of pure evil on Oct. 7, Israel is committed to facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel is at war with Hamas, not the Palestinian people.
“Israel is doing everything it can to flood Gaza with aid, including by land air and sea,” the Israeli mission added. “The U.N. must also step up.”
