UN Declares Gaza Famine A War Crime, Urges Global Accountability And Humanitarian Access

The United Nations has labelled the famine in Gaza as a "war crime" and the "famine of the 21st century," attributing responsibility to Israel for the humanitarian crisis. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the famine results from illegal restrictions by Israel on aid entry and distribution. He emphasised that using starvation as a weapon is a war crime, with deaths from it considered deliberate killings.

In a joint appeal, UN bodies such as FAO, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and WHO urged an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. The statement highlighted that over half a million people in Gaza are experiencing famine. This crisis is expected to extend to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis soon, with rising malnutrition and hunger-related fatalities.

Martin Griffiths, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, described the Gaza famine as a global disgrace caused by intentional denial of food and aid. He insisted that Israel must open crossings immediately to allow relief efforts. Griffiths noted that this tragedy could have been avoided if not for systematic barriers.

Meanwhile, members of the Green Party in the European Parliament have accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza. They called for suspending the EU-Israel partnership agreement, imposing immediate sanctions, and ensuring humanitarian access. They criticised the European Union's inadequate response to the crisis, which they believe undermines its moral authority.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with more than half a million people suffering from severe food shortages. The famine is anticipated to spread further into regions like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis within weeks. This expansion will likely lead to increased cases of malnutrition and deaths related to hunger.

The UN's call for action underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address this humanitarian disaster. The organisations stress that without immediate action, the situation will continue to deteriorate rapidly.

This ongoing crisis highlights significant challenges in delivering aid due to imposed restrictions. The international community faces pressure to respond effectively to prevent further loss of life and alleviate suffering among those affected by this catastrophe.

With inputs from WAM