New York (Web Desk): A group of over 30 United Nations (UN) human rights experts issued a warning on Friday regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the country of resuming the weaponization of starvation by blocking humanitarian aid.
According to the experts, this move is a severe violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity.
They stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to provide adequate food, medical supplies, and other essential relief services to Gaza’s population.
Israel halted aid deliveries on Sunday, demanding that Hamas agree to its terms for extending the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would take drastic actions in Gaza if all captives were not returned. This declaration came amidst the devastation already caused by the ongoing conflict, which followed the attacks that led to the war.
However, Hamas rejected Israel’s demand, asserting that no further captives would be released until the second phase of the ceasefire deal was negotiated.
The UN experts condemned Israel’s actions, especially given the timing during the holy month of Ramadan, describing them as not only cruel but also unlawful under international law.
They reminded the international community that Israel, as the occupying force, must ensure that Gaza receives the necessary humanitarian aid.
The experts reiterated that Israel’s actions amounted to the weaponization of aid, leading to violations of both humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as potential war crimes.
In response, Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s decision to block critical humanitarian aid, describing it as part of a larger, systematic campaign to deny essential aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson referred to the action as another blatant violation of international law, warning that it could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire agreement.
South Africa also joined the condemnation, accusing Israel of using starvation as a tactic in its ongoing war against Gaza’s people.
The South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the global community to hold Israel accountable for its actions, emphasizing the urgency of allowing food and aid into Gaza.
On March 2, Israel’s announcement that it would block aid deliveries until Hamas accepted its ceasefire terms further escalated the situation, with Israel seeking to extend the ceasefire until mid-April, a proposal Hamas opposed.
Hamas insisted that the agreement should transition into its second phase, which would bring an end to Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza.
The international legal and political pressure on Israel has been growing since December 2023, when South Africa brought a case to the International Court of Justice, alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza violated the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.
Other nations, including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey, have lent their support to this case, further strengthening the global push for accountability.
In their conclusion, the UN experts urged the global community to act in accordance with international law and take steps to end the ongoing assault on Gaza.
They warned that without collective action, the world may find itself swept up in a wave of lawlessness and injustice, underscoring the need for immediate international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
