UN Experts Criticize Israel for Using Water Deprivation

(MENAFN) A group of United Nations specialists on Tuesday sharply criticized Israel for employing what they termed "thirst as a weapon" in its ongoing actions against Palestinians.

In a formal declaration, the experts stated that "Israel is using thirst as a weapon to kill Palestinians," and described the denial of essentials like water and food as a "lethal bomb" that is predominantly claiming the lives of "children and babies."

Expressing deep distress over the tragic scenes of "infants dying in their mothers' arms," the experts stressed that "this catastrophe" had been "predicted" due to Israel’s siege and systematic dismantling of basic civilian infrastructure.

This has left a significant portion of Gaza’s residents displaced and deprived of the basic human necessity—drinking water.

"How can world leaders sleep while this suffering continues?” the experts asked, drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian disaster.

Describing Israel’s conduct in Gaza as "barbaric," the specialists emphasized that these actions, especially those carried out by state authorities, may amount to violations of international law, including breaches outlined in the Rome Statute.

“These intentional, widespread and systematic attacks against Palestinians are a deliberate infliction of conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of a population – another act of genocide," the experts stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

The UN experts urged for the "immediate deployment of naval humanitarian aid" from all ports along the Mediterranean.

They called for the urgent delivery of fuel, clean water, emergency supplies, and skilled personnel to address the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“The international community must act now to end this inhumane and unlawful deprivation and to guarantee the urgent restoration of water and sanitation in Gaza,” they concluded.

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