United nations: United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, stated that the crisis in the Gaza Strip represents a failure of the global humanitarian system to protect populations from war crimes and acts of genocide. Speaking to KUNA, Albanese emphasized the urgent need to reactivate the role of the United Nations in safeguarding humanitarian norms.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Albanese condemned the control of aid distribution in Gaza by Israeli forces, which are accused of war crimes and genocide under the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation." She described it as "a death trap" and a "hunger game," asserting that the foundation's actions amount to complicity in genocide through the creation of inhumane conditions.
Albanese highlighted the necessity to dismantle the foundation and lift the blockade by force to halt what she described as a criminal operation. Her comments precede her presentation at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where she will address the issue under the theme "From the Economy of Occupation to the Economy of Genocide."
She expressed concern over the involvement of arms industry corporations in the economy of war linked to Gaza's destruction, stating that such activities threaten human rights and global security. Albanese called for pressure on companies benefiting from the occupation to cease their complicity and protect Palestinians from ongoing violence.
Moreover, Albanese urged for concrete governmental actions, such as sending aid ships and medical missions to Gaza, beyond mere boycott campaigns. She also commented on the West Bank settlement expansion, noting that it is a longstanding policy that has intensified under the current Israeli government.
Albanese warned of the risks posed by the February 2023 coalition agreement, which grants Israeli authorities control over most of the West Bank, potentially leading to implicit recognition of its annexation. She emphasized the international community's responsibility to address these issues and uphold justice and human dignity.
The Special Rapporteur's report documents the involvement of various companies in severe violations, including occupation, annexation, apartheid, starvation, and extrajudicial killings. It calls for comprehensive actions such as an arms embargo on Israel, suspension of trade agreements, and accountability measures against complicit corporations.