Israel accused of state-sponsored terrorism by Palestinian leader
In the embattled Gaza Strip, a catastrophic humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Nearly 1,400 Palestinians have lost their lives while seeking food amid famine-like conditions and extremely limited humanitarian aid access [1][2]. The United Nations (UN) reports ongoing Israeli military attacks along food convoy routes and near aid sites, causing mass civilian casualties and hindering aid delivery despite announced “humanitarian pauses” [1][2].
The crisis is marked by widespread starvation, severe lack of water, healthcare, and shelter, with children disproportionately affected [2][3]. The situation is so dire that a group of UN experts has condemned Israel’s actions as a genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza [3]. They point to Israeli restrictions on aid and attacks causing mass killing and starvation as acts punishable under international law as genocide.
The experts criticize global complacency, including the EU’s failure to sanction Israel for human rights violations [3]. While the UN as a whole has yet to officially label the situation as genocide, evidence and expert statements strongly indicate multiple breaches of the Genocide Convention and war crimes.
The President of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh, has denounced Israel's actions, describing the aggression against Gaza as a humanitarian tragedy, unimaginable catastrophe, and organized terrorism [4]. Fattouh warns of a systematic project to displace the residents of Gaza and force them into the unknown, as part of the plans of the Israeli far right [4].
Fattouh has criticized the lack of a firm stance by the international community regarding the situation in Gaza, questioning the mechanism for aid distribution created by Israel and the United States, which he calls a deadly trap for the population [4]. He accuses the Donald Trump administration of directly supporting Israel's strategy against Gaza and the Benjamin Netanyahu government of pushing a comprehensive plan aimed at crushing the will of the Palestinian people and breaking their resolve through hunger, intimidation, and humiliation [4].
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that at least 1,373 Palestinians have lost their lives since May 27 as a result of shots fired by uniformed personnel in distribution centers in the Gaza Strip [5]. Fattouh insists that the policy of causing hunger and depriving the population of the territory of their basic needs is another facet of the war crimes committed in cold blood with a political pretext and US impunity [4].
The calls for unrestricted humanitarian access and international pressure on Israel are urgent, but ceasefire talks have stalled, and aid remains insufficient and dangerous to deliver [1][2][3]. The international community's response to this grave humanitarian emergency, compounded by alleged serious violations of international law by Israel, is uneven, prompting calls for more concerted action to protect the civilians of Gaza.
- The ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, marked by widespread starvation, severe lack of water, healthcare, and shelter, has been condemned by a group of UN experts as a potential genocidal campaign against Palestinians, with the restrictions on aid and attacks causing mass killing and starvation deemed acts punishable under international law.
- The President of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh, has accused the Donald Trump administration of directly supporting Israel's strategy against Gaza and the Benjamin Netanyahu government of pushing a comprehensive plan aimed at crushing the will of the Palestinian people, which he labels as crime and justice issues.
