The United Nations human rights office has issued a powerful statement regarding the “weaponisation” of food in Gaza, declaring it a war crime. This marks their strongest condemnation yet of the newly established aid distribution model, which is backed by the US and Israel.
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“Israel’s militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism contradicts international standards on aid distribution,” the office remarked in notes prepared for an upcoming briefing. They expressed deep concern over the plight of civilians caught in this dire situation, noting, “Desperate, hungry people in Gaza are faced with the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risking their lives in pursuit of food.”
Tragically, the civil defense agency in Gaza has reported that Israeli forces killed an additional 46 individuals waiting for aid in the region today.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates under US and Israeli support, began its food distribution efforts on May 26, following a complete halt in supplies to Gaza that lasted over two months. This blockade sparked serious warnings about the looming threat of mass famine.
The UN reported in May that “100% of the population” in the besieged territory is at risk of famine, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for assistance as aid organizations warn that Gaza stands on the brink of disaster.
Due to concerns that the GHF serves Israeli military objectives, both the UN and major aid organizations have opted not to collaborate with this private initiative, which operates with unclear funding sources. Mr. Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN rights office, highlighted alarming scenes of chaos surrounding GHF food distribution points in his briefing notes.
Since the GHF began its operations, “the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians attempting to access distribution points, resulting in numerous fatalities,” he reported. He referenced data that shows “over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result, with at least 93 additional deaths attributed to the Israeli army while approaching limited aid convoys from the UN and other humanitarian groups.” Furthermore, “at least 3,000 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents,” he added.
“Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, with accountability for those responsible,” Mr. Kheetan emphasized, cautioning that this systemic approach “endangers civilians and exacerbates the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
The situation remains critical, as hundreds of individuals have lost their lives near aid distribution points. “The weaponisation of food, along with the restriction or prevention of access to essential services, amounts to a war crime and may represent elements of further violations under international law,” Mr. Kheetan warned.
The UN rights office has called for immediate action to remedy the current crisis, insisting, “The Israeli military must cease fire on those attempting to secure food,” and urging Israel to “allow the entry of food and other essential humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza.”
Moreover, Mr. Kheetan demands that Israel “immediately lift its unlawful restrictions on the operations of UN and other humanitarian actors.” He also urged other nations to “take concrete measures to ensure that Israel, as the occupying power in Gaza, fulfills its obligation to provide sufficient food and lifesaving necessities to the population.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
