The United Nations has strongly condemned remarks by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggesting that starving Gaza’s population could be "justified" to secure the release of hostages.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed deep shock and dismay over Smotrich’s comments, according to UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence. During a recent conference, Smotrich stated, “No one in the world will allow us to starve two million people, even though it might be justified and moral in order to free the hostages.” He defended the ongoing humanitarian aid as a necessity to maintain international legitimacy in the conflict.
Laurence condemned these statements as incitements to hatred and potential war crimes, emphasizing that using starvation as a weapon of war is a serious violation of international law. He called for an investigation into the remarks and for accountability if they are found to constitute criminal behavior.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to significant casualties and a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military’s retaliatory actions have resulted in at least 39,699 deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents are now displaced and facing severe food shortages amid the ongoing violence.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed deep shock and dismay over Smotrich’s comments, according to UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence. During a recent conference, Smotrich stated, “No one in the world will allow us to starve two million people, even though it might be justified and moral in order to free the hostages.” He defended the ongoing humanitarian aid as a necessity to maintain international legitimacy in the conflict.
Laurence condemned these statements as incitements to hatred and potential war crimes, emphasizing that using starvation as a weapon of war is a serious violation of international law. He called for an investigation into the remarks and for accountability if they are found to constitute criminal behavior.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to significant casualties and a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military’s retaliatory actions have resulted in at least 39,699 deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents are now displaced and facing severe food shortages amid the ongoing violence.
