OHCHR: Palestinians in Gaza Dying from Starvation and Bullets as Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by starvation or shot by Israeli forces as they attempt to access food and humanitarian assistance.
In a powerful statement, the OHCHR said the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave has deteriorated to the point where residents are "starving to death." The Gaza Ministry of Health has recorded 101 deaths from malnutrition in recent days, including 15 deaths within a single 24-hour period. Alarmingly, at least 80 of those reported deaths were children.
'Many more have arrived at hospitals in a state of severe exhaustion caused by lack of food. Others are collapsing in the streets. Many more may be dying unreported,' the OHCHR said.
The UN rights body also revealed that between May 27 and July 21, Israeli forces killed 1,054 Palestinians in Gaza as they attempted to access food. Of those, 766 were killed near Gaza Humanitarian Field (GHF) sites and 288 near UN and other aid convoys.
'These deaths and the horrendous physical and psychological suffering caused by hunger are the result of Israel's interference with and militarisation of humanitarian assistance,' the statement added.
The OHCHR blamed the mounting toll on the Israeli-imposed blockade and other restrictions that are severely impeding the entry and distribution of aid into Gaza.
The agency condemned the use of lethal force against civilians seeking food. 'The Israeli military must immediately stop shooting at people trying to get food. Firearms must never be used simply to disperse a crowd, even as a warning,' the OHCHR said.
The UN body urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring the delivery of adequate food and lifesaving necessities to Gaza's population. It also called on third-party states to take concrete steps to pressure Israel to lift what it described as 'unlawful restrictions' on humanitarian operations.
The statement comes amid ongoing warnings from international agencies about the risk of famine in Gaza, where the war and blockade have decimated food supply chains and obstructed aid distribution efforts.
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