UN official Turk: Imposing famine on the Gaza Strip is a war crime

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat made evaluations about the humanitarian situation in Gaza to the British broadcaster BBC.

Pointing out that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is at a tragic level, Türk said, "An urgent ceasefire is required." he said.

Emphasizing that Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to ensure that humanitarian aid enters Gaza, Türk said, "Very serious question marks arise when humanitarian aid does not arrive at the desired extent and speed." he said.

Turk: "Is Israel guilty in this matter?" "Yes. Israel will be significantly blamed." he replied.

Responding to Israel's criticism that "aid went to Hamas" and that the UN was to blame, Turk stated that what happened on October 7, 2023 was against international law and human rights.

Turk said, "At the same time, the brutality of Israel's attacks and the method of war it follows raises the question of whether the response is proportionate. You always have to prove your intention. However, the collective punishment declared by the blockade is a war crime and should be evaluated as such." he said.

On Monday, March 25, 2024, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution supporting an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip following nearly six months of war against the Gaza Strip and the martyrdom of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The United States had previously vetoed three ceasefire resolutions, but this time abstained from voting on the draft ceasefire resolution.

In this decision, all parties are asked to respect the immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan, but the crimes committed by the occupying Israeli regime against the oppressed Palestinian people continue despite the approval of this decision.