'Israel' creating conditions incompatible with Gaza's survival: Türk
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Gaza's critical infrastructure has been devastated under the blockade, with essential services like healthcare, clean water, and food supply networks now nearing total failure.
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk speaks during a press conference on his last day of an official visit to Guatemala City, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for immediate international intervention to prevent Gaza's humanitarian situation from spiraling into an even deeper catastrophe. In a statement issued Tuesday, Türk described the conditions created by "Israel's" total blockade of the Strip as pushing life-saving support systems toward collapse.
"There must be concerted international efforts to stop this humanitarian catastrophe from reaching a new, unseen level," Türk declared.
According to the UN rights chief, Gaza's critical infrastructure has been devastated under the blockade, with essential services like healthcare, clean water, and food supply networks now nearing total failure. Türk warned that the ongoing restrictions appear to be creating conditions that could threaten the very survival of the Palestinian population. "Israel appears to be inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in Gaza," he said.
The humanitarian situation has worsened dramatically since early March 2025, when "Israel" imposed a full blockade, halting all aid deliveries through Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and Karem Abu Salem crossings. The blockade, following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement, has triggered acute shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies. Aid organizations report that over 80% of Gaza's population is now dependent on minimal food rations, with markets facing extreme scarcity and soaring prices.
Malnutrition on the rise
The crisis is particularly severe for children. Gaza's Government Media Office revealed on Monday that more than 65,000 children are suffering from severe malnutrition, while the United Nations reported a surge in acute malnutrition cases, an 80% increase in March compared to the previous month. Officials in Gaza have accused "Israel" of using starvation as a weapon of war, a charge human rights groups say may amount to a war crime under international law.
Read more: ICC judges issue gag order on arrest warrants in Israeli war crimes
Despite repeated calls from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations for unrestricted aid access, Israeli restrictions remain largely in place. The humanitarian system has been further crippled by "Israel's" decision to sever ties with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in late 2023, following unproven allegations of cooperation with Hamas.
Legal reckoning
Türk's remarks come as international legal bodies intensify scrutiny of "Israel's" actions. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has opened hearings to examine whether "Israel" is legally obligated to allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The proceedings follow a UN General Assembly request for an advisory opinion, with 38 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, France, and Saudi Arabia, presenting arguments. Human rights experts warn that "Israel's" continued blockade could constitute the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
"The extent of Israel's continued restrictions on entry of aid into Gaza, together with the manner in which it continues to conduct hostilities, may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war," Türk previously cautioned in a separate address to the UN Security Council.
Weapon testing
Adding to international concerns, reports surfaced this week that the Israeli military has deployed its new Bar rocket system in attacks on Gaza. Developed by Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacturer, the Bar rockets are part of a broader trend in which Gaza is increasingly used as a live testing ground for advanced weaponry. Analysts note that the use of experimental drones, precision munitions, and robotic units has turned Gaza into a showroom for "battle-tested" Israeli arms, fueling global arms sales while drawing accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Read more: Autopsies of 15 medics slain by 'Israel' show shots to head, torso
As the humanitarian collapse accelerates and the human toll mounts, with Palestinian officials reporting over 50,000 deaths since the start of the war, pressure on governments and international organizations to enforce compliance with humanitarian law is growing. Rights groups and UN officials continue to warn that Gaza faces one of the most severe humanitarian disasters in modern history if urgent action is not taken.
