Gaza: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized on Wednesday the urgent need for the international community to protect humanitarian workers, stating that over 500 humanitarian workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. The ministry described these deaths as another addition to the Israeli occupation's record of war crimes and violations of international law.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ministry issued a statement on World Humanitarian Day, highlighting the sacrifices of humanitarian workers, especially those who lost their lives while fulfilling their humanitarian duties in the occupied Palestinian territory. The statement underscored the ongoing war of extermination and starvation in the region, which has persisted for twenty-three months. The ministry asserted that mere appeals are insufficient and stressed the international community's obligation to halt the ongoing crisis, enforce compliance with international law, and hold accountable those responsible for crimes against civilians and humanitarian workers.
The ministry further noted that the impunity enjoyed by the occupation is a driving force behind these recurring crimes. It called for urgent international measures to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, reflecting a global consensus against acts of genocide, annexation, and siege.
The statement also warned that the international community's inaction threatens the global legal system, replacing it with a lawless state and reducing the protection of humanitarian workers to empty rhetoric. It highlighted the dangers faced by humanitarian workers, including deliberate targeting, detention, and the inability to carry out their work due to shortages and the loss of loved ones.
Finally, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry declared that targeting humanitarian workers in Gaza is a crime, demonstrating the occupation's intention to use starvation as a weapon. It urged for international protection of relief workers, framing this as a critical test of the global community's commitment to safeguarding civilians and opposing starvation policies. The ministry reiterated that humanitarian workers should not be targets, and their efforts to save lives should not come at the cost of their own.