GENEVA, (PIC)
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged the world to “act to stop the humanitarian catastrophe and prevent a complete collapse of critical life-saving support in Gaza.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Türk stressed the need for “international efforts to stop this humanitarian catastrophe from reaching unseen levels.”
He warned that “any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime, as do all forms of collective punishment.”
The UN rights chief also warned that a reported Israeli plan to declare the Rafah governorate in the far south of Gaza as a new “humanitarian zone” would require Palestinians to move there to receive food and other aid.
“It is almost certain that such a plan would mean forcing large parts of Gaza and people unable to move easily, including the disabled, the sick, the wounded and women with entire families, to remain without food,” he explained.
Turk also stressed that “other countries have clear obligations under international law to ensure that this behavior stops immediately, and they must act accordingly. They must also seek out all perpetrators of crimes under international law and bring them to justice, whoever they may be.”
With unconditional US support, Israeli occupation forces have continued their aggression against the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of more than 170,000 Palestinians, according to preliminary figures, with thousands still trapped under the rubble.
