UN experts condemn Israel's siege of Gaza, warn of 'severe humanitarian crisis'

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN independent experts on Thursday condemned Israel’s siege of Gaza, warning it would lead to a "severe humanitarian crisis."

"We condemn the withholding of essential supplies such as food, water, electricity, and medicines. Such actions will precipitate a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where its population is now at an inescapable risk of starvation. Intentional starvation is a crime against humanity," the experts said in a statement.

Additionally, they "unequivocally condemned" attacks against civilians both in Israel and Gaza.

"We strongly condemn the horrific crimes committed by Hamas, the deliberate and widespread killing and hostage-taking of innocent civilians, including older persons and children. These actions constitute heinous violations of international law and international crimes, for which there must be urgent accountability," they said.

They added: "We also strongly condemn Israel’s indiscriminate military attacks against the already exhausted Palestinian people of Gaza, comprising over 2.3 million people, nearly half of whom are children. They have lived under unlawful blockade for 16 years, and already gone through five major brutal wars, which remain unaccounted for."

The experts underlined that this application amounts to "collective punishment," and said: "There is no justification for violence that indiscriminately targets innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces."

"This is absolutely prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime," they added.

Regarding the killing of seven Palestinian journalists in Israeli airstrikes, they expressed concern about media workers being targeted during the conflict.

Both sides have actions that constitute a war crime, they said.

"Taking hostages in the context of hostilities constitutes a war crime. The civilians taken by Hamas must be immediately released, pending which their fate and whereabouts must be disclosed," the experts said.

"Indiscriminately killing civilians in the context of hostilities, with no regard for the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality, is a war crime," they said, referring to the people killed as a result of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

- Short-term peace proposals

They also urged both sides to comply with a few points in the short term, which include an immediate end to violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, the agreement of a cease-fire monitored by an independent international body, the release of hostages taken by Hamas and Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel, the establishment of an international protective presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and the provision of all necessary financial and humanitarian aid.

Over 1,200 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis have been killed since the start of the Israel-Palestine conflict on Saturday.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.