The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has made a stark appeal to global leaders to avert the potential collapse of essential life-saving support in Gaza. In a recent statement, Türk underscored the urgency of the crisis, exacerbated by ongoing Israeli attacks targeting civilian shelters and health facilities. These actions have significantly impeded the flow of aid into the region, with food supplies dwindling rapidly, risking a severe humanitarian catastrophe. Türk emphasized that using starvation as a tool of war constitutes a war crime.
Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have publicly stated their intentions to restrict essential supplies to Palestinians, which has been characterized as “collective punishment.” The Starvation Protocol, under the Geneva Conventions, strictly prohibits such tactics. The UN Office of Human Rights has reported an alarming increase in attacks on Gaza’s infrastructure, with significant casualties and displacement of its civilian population.
The conflict’s toll is severe, with nearly 47,000 Palestinians reportedly killed due to hostilities by early 2025. However, these figures potentially underrepresent the full impact, omitting deaths from malnutrition and dehydration. Türk stressed the necessity for thorough investigations into what he defined as war crimes, citing breaches of international law principles of distinction and proportionality.
Despite a directive from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calling for Israel to prevent genocide and facilitate sufficient humanitarian aid, compliance remains reportedly lacking. This appeal by Türk serves as a renewed call for immediate action to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and uphold international humanitarian standards in Gaza.