UN Experts Accuse Israel of Using Thirst as a Weapon in Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis
A group of independent UN human rights experts has leveled a grave accusation against Israeli authorities, asserting that they are deliberately depriving Palestinians in Gaza of access to clean drinking water, Arab News reported. The experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, described this alleged action as a profound violation of international law and a potential crime against humanity, warning that “cutting off water and food is a silent but lethal bomb that kills mostly children and babies.”
According to the experts’ statement, issued on Monday, the water and sanitation systems across Gaza have been systematically targeted throughout Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which commenced in October 2023. This sustained assault has reportedly destroyed or severely damaged critical infrastructure, including wells, pipelines, desalination plants, and sewage networks. The United Nations estimates that nearly 90% of the territory’s water infrastructure is now non-functional, leaving over 90% of Gaza’s population without reliable access to safe water supplies.
The UN human rights experts’ stark warning underscores that the deliberate denial of water and essential supplies constitutes collective punishment, potentially amounting to extermination under international law, a position supported by the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion. Despite Israel’s obligations, aid and vital fuel shipments remain restricted, threatening the closure of UNRWA’s remaining water wells. The experts have further intensified their condemnation, labeling the situation “barbaric” and asserting that Israel’s actions align with the legal definition of genocide under the Rome Statute.
The humanitarian catastrophe is compounded by a severe hunger crisis, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting at least 147 deaths from starvation since October 2023, including 88 children. This comes amidst Israel’s relentless offensive which, according to the Ministry, has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The continuous bombardment has devastated the enclave, leading to widespread suffering.
Against this backdrop, the UN experts issued an urgent call for decisive international action, advocating for immediate naval humanitarian missions to deliver vital aid and fuel to Gaza, coupled with the restoration of water and sanitation systems and an end to all humanitarian access restrictions. They stressed that the global community’s response to this “inhumane and unlawful deprivation” is a “test of global conscience.”
