UN expert on torture tells Israel to stop ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading’ starvation of Gaza
A United Nations expert on torture says the Israeli regime should stop the “lethal, inhumane, and degrading” starvation of the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
“Depriving people of food, water and dignity has been a serious and recurring violation of this war and it must end,” Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, said on Wednesday.
The UN’s independent Australian expert stressed that the United States and the Israeli regime, as well as all parties who are complicit in the deliberate starvation of the people of Gaza, are legally obliged under international law to ensure civilians under their control have access to food and water, and to facilitate humanitarian operations.
Edwards, who is also an adjunct professor at Oxford University’s Master of Studies in International Human Rights Law, recited “shocking” reports she had received of Palestinian civilians being killed while waiting in lines at so-called US-backed food distribution centers in Gaza, as well as widespread hunger and malnutrition.
Several UN agencies have already condemned the US- and Israel-backed food distribution system, calling it “an abomination” and “a death trap.”
The World Assembly of Islamic Awakening slams Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Edwards warned of the deteriorating situation in Gaza, saying the threat of an all-out famine in the Palestinian territory is getting worse.
Edwards also highlighted the “catastrophic physiological consequences” of prolonged calorie deprivation, including malnutrition, organ failure and death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants and pregnant women, caused by the deliberate starvation of the Palestinian people of Gaza.
The UN expert said the Israel’s killing of the people of Gaza by means of bombs and starvation is another manifestation of the deep-seated Israeli cruelty which will leave its long-term impact on the Palestinians. “The psychological impact of being deprived of food and water is inherently cruel.”
“Constantly changing rules, militarized distributions and daily and hourly uncertainty about when one is going to access these basic necessities is causing utter despair, stress and trauma,” she said, insisting that “more must be done” to end the hostile environment created by the Israeli regime in Gaza and establish long-lasting peace.
The Israeli military declares a “tactical pause” to its attacks in parts of the Gaza Strip as international aid operations get underway.
Edwards said the Israeli regime’s announcement this week of a “tactical pause” to attacks across Gaza to allow safe passage for delivery of food over a planned three-month period, if enacted, could alleviate the dire situation to some extent until a permanent ceasefire was established.
A previous ceasefire agreement was violated by the Israeli regime in March 2025, when it launched an unprovoked airstrike on Gaza, breaking the truce with Hamas.
She reiterated her call for the unconditional and immediate release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and for independent investigations into reports of torture, ill-treatment and other potential war crimes, as well as the release of the Israeli captives held by Palestinians Hamas resistance movement.
The UN expert said she had repeatedly raised serious concerns about human rights violations against Palestinians in Gaza with relevant authorities and continues to press for full accountability.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the former minister for military affairs, in November 2024 over war crimes and crimes against humanity.
