Geneva – Saba:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep shock on Monday over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, describing images of starving civilians as “heartbreaking and unbearable” and warning of an unprecedented catastrophe.
“Reaching this point in Gaza is an affront to our shared humanity. Our top priority must be to save lives and end the suffering immediately,” Türk said in an official statement.
He stressed that the Israeli occupation continues to impose severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The limited supplies allowed in fall drastically short of the basic needs of a population that has been enduring extreme conditions for months.
Türk called on Israel to allow unhindered and immediate humanitarian access, emphasizing that international humanitarian law must be upheld under all circumstances.
He further warned that depriving civilians of food could constitute a war crime, and possibly a crime against humanity, under international law. He urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and act urgently to protect civilians in Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza have been experiencing unprecedented levels of hunger since Israel sealed the border crossings in early March, imposing harsh restrictions on food, aid, fuel, and medicine.
Over time, Gaza’s residents have exhausted nearly all food supplies, markets have gone empty, and finding a loaf of bread has become nearly impossible. Prices for remaining goods have skyrocketed, making death by starvation one of the deadliest causes of death in the besieged territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to target Palestinians awaiting aid, in what has become a daily occurrence since the implementation of the so-called “Israeli-American aid mechanism” run by the controversial “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” since May 27.
| more of (International) |