DaysofPal- The Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip has entered its second year, with over 2.4 million Palestinians enduring a systematic policy of starvation that many describe as a form of genocide.
This grim reality persists despite warnings from international bodies and human rights organizations, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, who labeled the blockade a year ago as “genocide.”
The complicit silence of the international community continues to embolden Israeli occupation in tightening its grip on Gaza, leaving its population teetering on the brink of catastrophe.
Bakeries Shut Down, Hunger Looms
In Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, all bakeries operating with cooking gas have been forced to shut down due to severe fuel shortages, according to Abdel Nasser Al-Ajrami, head of the Bakery Owners Association in Gaza.
With diesel reserves dwindling, enough only for two weeks, the situation is dire. Al-Ajrami warns that the continued closure of crossings and the prevention of food and fuel supplies could exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, threatening widespread hunger across the enclave.
“The Israeli deliberate starvation policy is not just about closing crossings,” Al-Ajrami stated.
“It is a calculated effort to break the will of the Palestinian people by depriving them of their most basic needs.” He added.
International Failure to Protect
Farid Al-Atrash, head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in the southern West Bank, underscores the failure of the international system to protect Palestinians.
While human rights organizations meticulously document crimes committed by Israel, including those classified as genocide and crimes against humanity, there remains no binding mechanism to enforce accountability.
Al-Atrash emphasized the need for increased international pressure on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite justice.
Although the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army minister Yoav Galant over alleged war crimes during the ongoing aggression on Gaza, these warrants remain unenforced.
Al-Atrash stressed the urgency of holding Israeli leaders accountable for their actions.
American Support and European Hypocrisy
Human rights activist Gandhi Rabie, head of the Rights and Law Group in Palestine, criticized the double standards of the international community.
While some European Union countries have voiced support for the ICC’s decisions, the United States has actively undermined the court through sanctions imposed on its judges and staff. This American shield for the Israeli occupation, Rabie argues, emboldens further violations and perpetuates impunity.
“The Israeli occupation operates with complete disregard for international law, confident in the backing it receives from Washington,” Rabie said.
He called for a unified Arab and Islamic stance to pressure the global community into enforcing the ICC’s rulings and ensuring accountability for Israeli war criminals.
Palestinian Responsibility in Pursuing Justice
Dr. Issam Abdeen, an expert in international criminal law, placed responsibility on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and civil society institutions for failing to adequately pursue justice at the ICC.
According to Abdeen, the PA should have flooded the Office of the Prosecutor with comprehensive reports detailing Israeli crimes, thereby accelerating investigations and prosecutions.
“The lack of follow-through demonstrates a critical gap in leveraging international mechanisms to hold Israeli occupation accountable,” Abdeen explained. He urged Palestinian entities to intensify efforts in documenting and reporting crimes to ensure they are brought before the ICC.
Imminent Food Catastrophe
For nine consecutive days, the Israeli occupation has maintained its closure of crossings into Gaza, preventing the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies.
This blockade threatens to worsen the humanitarian situation in unprecedented ways, with warnings of an impending food catastrophe looming large. Millions of besieged Palestinians face starvation as basic necessities grow increasingly scarce.
The systematic starvation of Gaza represents yet another facet of Israel’s genocidal policies against Palestinians. As the world watches in silence, the lives of millions hang in the balance.
The call for justice grows louder, demanding not only accountability for past atrocities but also immediate action to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians. Without decisive intervention, the cycle of oppression and deprivation in Gaza risks spiraling further out of control, condemning its people to unimaginable hardship.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=61279
