Experts: Israel’s blocking of Caravans, aid to Gaza exposes Intel community’s failure
Two experts in politics and international law affirmed that Israel’s continued obstruction of the entry of caravans and essential aid to displaced people in the Gaza Strip exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and exposes the international community’s failure to uphold its responsibilities.
In statements to the Palestinian news agency Shihab, the experts stressed that this constitutes a continuation of the crime of genocide, leaving thousands of displaced people without proper shelter from the harsh winter cold. They called for urgent action that goes beyond mere condemnation and statements, demanding pressure on Israel to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and open the crossings.
Dr. Amjad Bashkar, a political scientist, stated that Israel’s prevention of the entry of caravans and necessary aid to displaced people in the Gaza Strip intensifies the suffering of the population, especially during periods of inclement weather. He asserted that this situation “undermines all international institutions concerned with this issue.”
Bashkar emphasized that the Gaza Strip needs neither a High Commissioner nor a “Trumpian” nor a peace council, sarcastically suggesting that Benjamin Netanyahu should be a member of such a council.
He pointed out that nothing has changed on the ground in the Gaza Strip, especially with the commencement of the second phase, which is supposed to be the reconstruction and rebuilding phase.
Bashkar stressed the real suffering of the Gaza Strip’s residents, who are being ravaged by the bitter cold and the intense summer heat. He noted that thousands are now without any real shelter, as if a stark warning has been issued: those who are not killed by bullets and missiles will inevitably die from this cold and the lack of adequate shelter for the displaced.
He stated, “We are in the midst of a very sensitive phase, and perhaps the coming period will reveal whether what was agreed upon during the second phase will actually be implemented, or whether the most prominent feature will be procrastination.”
For his part, Abdelmajid Marari, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and an expert in international law, stressed that the continued obstruction by Israel of the entry of caravans and humanitarian aid needed to assist displaced people in the Gaza Strip, amidst the cold weather and storms, constitutes a blatant act of genocide by the Zionist entity.
Marari stated that what is happening is a crime of ethnic cleansing and extermination by all means, through the prevention of relief supplies, medicine, and caravans, thus exposing the residents of the Gaza Strip to further violations and harm that could lead to death.
He emphasized the urgent need for serious action from the international community, which has failed to uphold international law and has failed to compel Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement, allow the entry of aid, and open the crossings.
He added that Israel continues its full-fledged crimes in Gaza, and the international community must act beyond mere condemnation and statements. It must compel Israel, under threat of invoking Articles 6 and 7 of the UN Charter—that is, the use of force—to respect these obligations. Otherwise, these countries will be complicit in these crimes.
Marari urged mediators to emphasize the implementation of the second phase of the agreement and to pressure Israel to allow the entry of caravans, facilitate reconstruction, and lift restrictions on crossings, particularly the Rafah crossing, which Israel opened in its thuggish and vindictive manner.
He also called on the UN to activate an urgent humanitarian emergency mechanism to facilitate the entry of caravans, noting that the world is witnessing a blatant violation of international law, a perpetration of genocide, and a disregard for all moral and legal principles.