A damning United Nations report has accused Israel of deliberately starving civilians in Gaza, a potential war crime under international law. The findings come as over 500,000 Palestinians face catastrophic food shortages, with aid convoys repeatedly blocked from entering the besieged territory.
"Population-Wide Starvation" Looms in Gaza
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed shocking statistics:
- 1.1 million Gazans (half the population) experience "catastrophic" food insecurity
- Children showing signs of severe malnutrition in all Gaza districts
- 90% of young children face acute food poverty
"These are famine-like conditions by any reasonable definition," stated UN human rights chief Volker Türk.
International Law Violations
Experts argue Israel's restrictions on food and aid constitute collective punishment - banned under the Geneva Conventions. The report highlights:
- Only 20% of required food aid reached northern Gaza in March
- Israel continues to deny access to UN assessment teams
- Humanitarian workers killed in Israeli airstrikes
"Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited," emphasized UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
Global Outcry Grows
The international community has reacted strongly:
- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calls situation "man-made" disaster
- Human Rights Watch documents Israeli forces shooting at food convoys
- Doctors report children dying from malnutrition-related complications
Israel maintains it allows "extensive humanitarian aid" while fighting Hamas militants. However, UN data shows only 150-200 trucks daily enter Gaza - far below the 500 needed pre-war.
As diplomatic pressure mounts, questions remain whether Israel will face accountability for what UN officials describe as "the fastest deterioration into widespread hunger ever documented."
