DayofPal– The United Nations Human Rights Office has declared that Israel’s manipulation of humanitarian aid access in Gaza amounts to a potential war crime, citing the systematic killing of civilians seeking food and the obstruction of critical life-saving supplies.
In a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan condemned “Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism,” referring to a controversial aid distribution system set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
“Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food,” Al-Kheetan said.
“The weaponization of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law.”
Asked whether Israel was culpable under international law, Al-Kheetan emphasized that “the legal qualification needs to be made by a court of law.”
Since GHF began operations in Gaza on May 27, Israeli forces have killed more than 520 Palestinians near its aid distribution points, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Another 39 starved people are reported missing after attempting to reach the sites.
Human rights organizations and aid agencies have accused Israel of transforming humanitarian corridors into zones of slaughter, describing scenes of chaos and carnage as thousands of Palestinians rush for limited aid.
Israeli forces have been accused of targeting these gatherings with live fire and drone strikes, making access to food a deadly gamble.
Gaza’s Government Media Office has described the GHF sites as “mass traps” and “slaughterhouses.”
The situation has deteriorated further since March 2, when Israel closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical, and humanitarian supplies.
Humanitarian agencies say the blockade has plunged Gaza’s 2.3 million residents into an increasingly desperate situation, with starvation now a pressing reality for vast segments of the population.
A recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that nearly 25% of Gaza’s population faces catastrophic levels of food insecurity, the highest classification under the IPC system (Phase 5), in the coming months.
Despite growing international condemnation, limited aid has reached Gaza through the GHF. The organization has come under fire for its lack of transparency, restricted delivery routes, and selective distribution that leaves vast areas without relief.
Most humanitarian organizations, including the UN, have distanced themselves from the GHF, citing its violations of humanitarian principles. Critics say the group restricts aid to southern and central Gaza, forces civilians to travel dangerous distances, and distributes only a fraction of the aid needed.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that “weaponizing aid in this manner may constitute crimes against humanity.” In a statement, the group added: “Every day Palestinians are met with carnage in their attempts to receive supplies from the insufficient amount of aid trickling into Gaza.”
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also condemned the system in a statement on X describing it as “lethal.”
“Palestinian lives have been so devalued,” Lazzarini said. “It is now the routine to shoot & kill desperate & starving people while they try to collect little food from a company made of mercenaries.”
“Inviting starving people to their death is a war crime. Those responsible of this system must be held accountable,” he added. “This is a disgrace & a stain on our collective consciousness.”
The UN has confirmed that, despite severe famine conditions, Israel continues to block most food shipments into Gaza, allowing only a handful of aid trucks to pass.
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