The United Nations human rights chief declared on Tuesday that Israel’s comprehensive blockade of the Gaza Strip, which results in the deprivation of essential goods for civilian survival, is prohibited under international law.
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized the importance of respecting people’s dignity and lives as he urged all parties to de-escalate the highly volatile situation.
The Palestinian organization Hamas, responsible for the abduction of approximately 150 individuals in its unexpected weekend attack on Israel, has issued a threat to execute the hostages should Israeli airstrikes persist, particularly if they continue to target Gaza residents without prior notice.
This threat emerged following Israel’s implementation of a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip on Monday, leading to the interruption of food, water, and electricity supplies and raising concerns about a worsening humanitarian crisis.
“International humanitarian law is clear: the obligation to take constant care to spare the civilian population and civilian objects remains applicable throughout the attacks,” Turk said in a statement.
The newly imposed siege significantly exacerbates the already severe human rights and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including the ability of medical facilities to function, particularly considering the rising number of casualties, as stated in the announcement.
“The imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law,” Turk said.
Any restrictions on the movement of people and goods to implement a siege must be justified by military necessity or may otherwise amount to collective punishment, the statement added.
