Translated from French by PAJU
Israel is once again “militarizing famine” in Gaza “by deciding to break” the ceasefire agreement and block humanitarian aid, a group of more than 30 independent United Nations experts said Thursday.
On March 2, Israel announced its decision to cut off humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip amid disagreements with Hamas over how to continue the fragile truce that came into effect on January 19, after more than 15 months of war that devastated the Palestinian territory.
“This decision constitutes a flagrant violation of international law,” said in a statement the experts, who are mandated by the Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the organization.
“As the occupying power, Israel continues to be required to ensure adequate food, medical supplies and other relief services,” the experts, including UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese, added.
“Humanitarian aid has become the primary source of income for the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
“Violations of international law”
UN experts consider that “by deliberately cutting off vital supplies, including those related to sexual and reproductive health, and assistive devices for people with disabilities, Israel is once again weaponizing aid.”
The truce that has silenced the guns since January 19 is jeopardized by disagreements between Hamas and Israel over the next steps.
Israel wants an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire, which expired on March 1, until mid-April. It is demanding the complete demilitarization of the territory, the departure of Hamas from the Gaza Strip and the return of the last hostages before moving on to the second phase. Hamas, for its part, is demanding the implementation of the second stage of the agreement, which is supposed to lead to a permanent ceasefire, and insists on remaining in Gaza, which it has ruled since 2007.
Plus de 30 experts de l’ONU accusent Israël de « militariser la famine » à Gaza | Radio-Canada
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