Burak Bir
04 August 2025•Update: 04 August 2025
LONDON
The UN high commissioner for human rights on Monday decried the ongoing starvation in the Gaza Strip, calling it an "affront to our collective humanity."
In a statement, Volker Turk reiterated his concern over the starvation of civilians and the treatment of hostages in Gaza.
"The images of people starving in Gaza are heart-rending and intolerable. That we have reached this stage is an affront to our collective humanity," he said.
Turk stressed that this serves as yet another reminder that the violence must end once and for all, adding: "Saving lives must be everyone’s priority."
Pointing out that Israel continues to restrict severely humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza, the rights chief urged Israel to immediately allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of sufficient amounts of humanitarian relief for civilians.
"Denying civilians access to food may amount to a war crime, as well as potentially a crime against humanity," Turk warned.
Turning to hostages held by Hamas, he said they should be allowed immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"I have repeated, time and again, that the hostages and all those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released," added Turk.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 61,000 Palestinians, almost half of them women and children. Israel’s military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.
