UN Warns Israel's Actions in Gaza May Constitute War Crimes
Human rights chief Volker Turk highlights Israel's impediment of humanitarian aid and attacks on civilians amid ongoing conflict.
In a significant statement, the United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, declared on Tuesday that Israel’s actions in Gaza could represent elements of the most serious crimes under international law.
He specifically condemned the systematic hindrance of access to essential supplies, stating, "The willful impediment of access to food and other life-sustaining relief supplies for civilians may constitute a war crime."
Turk's remarks come against the backdrop of persistent violence in the region, where numerous Palestinians have been killed in recent days by Israeli fire while attempting to secure food at aid points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
This organization has drawn scrutiny due to its ties with the U.S.
The UN official highlighted the compounded crises faced by civilians in Gaza, noting the dual threats of starvation and violence.
He referred to the continual killing of civilians, widespread destruction, and forced displacements as elements of grave international legal violations.
Turk articulated that the current situation presents Palestinians with a “grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available.”
Calls for accountability were underscored by Turk, who labeled the attacks on civilians aiming to access humanitarian aid as "unconscionable," insisting on the necessity for “prompt and impartial” investigations into these incidents.
He stressed that such actions represent a severe breach of international law.
Turk further criticized Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance framework, arguing that it undermines international standards for aid distribution and poses risks to lives.
He recalled prior directives from the International Court of Justice, which in 2024 issued binding orders requiring Israel to take all necessary steps to ensure unhindered access to vital humanitarian services, including food, water, and medical supplies for the population in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced strong disapproval of the situation, labeling the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid as "unacceptable" and describing the loss of life in the territory as "unthinkable." These developments highlight the critical humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in Gaza as international bodies call for immediate intervention and accountability.
He specifically condemned the systematic hindrance of access to essential supplies, stating, "The willful impediment of access to food and other life-sustaining relief supplies for civilians may constitute a war crime."
Turk's remarks come against the backdrop of persistent violence in the region, where numerous Palestinians have been killed in recent days by Israeli fire while attempting to secure food at aid points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
This organization has drawn scrutiny due to its ties with the U.S.
The UN official highlighted the compounded crises faced by civilians in Gaza, noting the dual threats of starvation and violence.
He referred to the continual killing of civilians, widespread destruction, and forced displacements as elements of grave international legal violations.
Turk articulated that the current situation presents Palestinians with a “grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available.”
Calls for accountability were underscored by Turk, who labeled the attacks on civilians aiming to access humanitarian aid as "unconscionable," insisting on the necessity for “prompt and impartial” investigations into these incidents.
He stressed that such actions represent a severe breach of international law.
Turk further criticized Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance framework, arguing that it undermines international standards for aid distribution and poses risks to lives.
He recalled prior directives from the International Court of Justice, which in 2024 issued binding orders requiring Israel to take all necessary steps to ensure unhindered access to vital humanitarian services, including food, water, and medical supplies for the population in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also voiced strong disapproval of the situation, labeling the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid as "unacceptable" and describing the loss of life in the territory as "unthinkable." These developments highlight the critical humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in Gaza as international bodies call for immediate intervention and accountability.