"The use of humanitarian aid as an instrument of occupation by the Israeli authorities dates back almost 20 years. As a British official, I led a review of the humanitarian situation in Gaza in 2008 when the then government of Israel had just imposed a blockade. I advised UK ministers that this was not in line with international humanitarian principles, that we wouldn't accept this in other humanitarian contexts, and we should not do so in this case."
"Now that famine has been officially confirmed in Gaza — a first in the Middle East — children are wasting away while truckloads of life-saving aid sit across the border. The international community must act decisively and urgently to break the blockade. Neither airdrops nor a sea route can provide a sustainable solution at scale to address immediate suffering or needs over the coming years, given the level of destruction."
Gaza faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe with famine officially confirmed and children starving while aid remains blocked at the border. The use of aid as an instrument of occupation by Israeli authorities has persisted for almost 20 years, including a blockade imposed in 2008. Previous recommendations to secure independent humanitarian access were ignored. Airdrops and sea routes cannot meet long-term, large-scale needs given widespread destruction. All options should be considered now, including a UN- or international coalition-mandated lifeline across the Rafah border. Precedents exist for cross-border humanitarian mechanisms under international law and the responsibility to protect civilians.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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