Kuwait City: United Nations rights chief Volker Turk urged Tuesday the world to halt Gaza's descent into a "new, unseen level" of "humanitarian catastrophe" amid Israel's total blockade on aid and relentless attacks on the territory.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Turk noted in a press release that as the complete blockade of assistance essential for survival enters its ninth week, there must be concerted international efforts to stop this humanitarian catastrophe from reaching a new unseen level. Since 2 March, Israel has prevented the entry of food, fuel, and other life-saving assistance to Gaza.
Bakeries have stopped working as flour and fuel have run out, and the remaining stocks of food are being rapidly depleted. Turk warned that any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime, as do all forms of collective punishment.
A reported Israeli plan to declare Rafah governorate as a new "humanitarian zone" would require Palestinians to move there to receive food and humanitarian aid. Turk expressed concern that such a plan would mean large parts of Gaza and those who cannot easily move, including people with disabilities, the sick or injured, and women supporting entire families, would be forced to go without food.
Israel continues to strike locations in Gaza where Palestinian civilians are sheltering. Between 18 March and 27 April, the UN Human Rights Office recorded 259 attacks on residential buildings and 99 on tents of internally displaced people (IDP). Most of these attacks resulted in fatalities, including women and children. Among the strikes on IDP tents, 40 reportedly took place in the Al-Mawasi area, where the Israeli army repeatedly directed civilians to seek refuge.
Turk stressed that these incidents reflect a pattern seen during this escalation, raising grave concerns of violations of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. Each of these incidents must be fully investigated as intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities would constitute a war crime.
There are also serious concerns about additional violations as the Israeli army continues to attack health facilities. On 22 and 24 April, the army reportedly struck the Martyr Mohammad Al Durrah Children's Hospital, putting it completely out of service.