Israel Destroying Gaza's Food System in 'Starvation' Tactic, UN Expert Says
Editor
8 March 2024 09:19 WIB
Israel denies restricting relief into Gaza and has started working with private contractors to deliver aid. It says its fight is with Hamas whose fighters killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages during its Oct. 7 attacks.
FISHING SECTOR HIT
Fakhri, a Lebanese-Canadian law professor, is one of dozens of independent human rights experts mandated by the United Nations to report and advise on specific themes and crises.
In his speech to the 47-member Geneva council, he alleged that Israel is targeting small-scale fishermen by denying them access to the sea and destroying boats and shacks.
Around 80% of Gaza's fishing sector has been destroyed since Oct. 7, he said, adding that every boat had been demolished by Israeli forces in the main port of Gaza City.
Reuters could not verify that, although images from Oct. 8 showed smoke billowing from a boat there after Israeli strikes.
In his closing remarks, Fakhri called on member countries to also consider sanctions, cutting diplomatic ties and arms embargoes.
"This is on your watch. Please turn your words into action," he said.
The council set up an open-ended U.N. Commission of Inquiry in 2021 to investigate violations on both sides of the conflict but has not passed any new motions since the latest violence began.
REUTERS
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