UN experts condemn Zionist decision to use famine as weapon

Independent UN human rights experts have warned that the Zionist entity has resumed its use of starvation in the Gaza Strip against Palestinians by violating the ceasefire agreement and blocking the entry of humanitarian aid. In a joint statement the experts expressed their “appallment” at the decision of the Zionist occupation to once again suspend all goods and supplies, including life-saving humanitarian aid, entering the Gaza Strip, following the Zionist occupation’s threat to reopen the “gates of hell” on the besieged Strip.

They added that these moves are clearly “illegal” under international law, and that as the occupying power, the Zionist occupation is always obligated to ensure adequate food, medical supplies and other relief services, noting that by deliberately cutting off vital supplies, the Zionist occupation is once again using aid as a weapon in serious violations of international humanitarian law, human rights law and constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. They also noted that the three-phase ceasefire agreement should have led to a permanent cessation of Zionist aggression, but instead resulted in more violence and further destruction of Palestinian life in a completely illegal and inhumane manner.

In their statement, they referred to the extremely harsh conditions in which the population was struggling, as only a very small number of tents and mobile homes were allowed to enter Gaza. Palestinians, including children and the elderly, continued to die from the cold and miserable conditions.

They warned that re-imposing a comprehensive blockade on a population that has barely survived 16 months of continuous bombardment, repeated forced displacement and the destruction of 80 percent of agricultural land and civilian infrastructure will exacerbate the dire situation.