Türkiye has issued a blistering condemnation of Israel’s deliberate starvation tactics in the Gaza Strip, labeling them as genocidal policies that have plunged the Palestinian population into a catastrophic famine.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a powerful statement, accused Israel of weaponizing hunger to inflict collective punishment on Gaza’s civilians, in flagrant violation of international law.

The statement follows a harrowing UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which confirmed that Gaza is grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. Children are dying of starvation, families are forced to survive on animal feed and contaminated water, and nearly the entire population faces acute food insecurity. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the crisis “a chilling reminder of the collective punishment inflicted on an entire population,” a sentiment echoed by Türkiye.

“The IPC report and the Secretary-General’s remarks lay bare the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, driven by the genocidal policies of the Netanyahu government against the Palestinian people,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry declared.

Israel’s Starvation Campaign: A War Crime

Türkiye’s statement explicitly accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war. By systematically blocking humanitarian aid convoys, bombing bakeries, cutting off water and electricity, and destroying agricultural lands, Israel has engineered famine conditions in Gaza. These actions, Ankara emphasized, are deliberate and constitute grave violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.

“Israel’s arrogance stems from the impunity it has enjoyed for its war crimes,” the ministry stated, warning that this unchecked aggression has emboldened Israel to escalate its atrocities against Palestinians.

Urgent Demands for Justice and Relief

Türkiye outlined three critical steps to address the crisis:

1. Secure a Lasting Ceasefire: An immediate halt to Israel’s military onslaught is essential to stop the bloodshed and prevent further starvation deaths.
2. Ensure Accountability: Those responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity must face justice before international courts, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Türkiye supports legal proceedings against Israel.
3. Open Humanitarian Corridors: Uninterrupted access to food, medicine, and aid must be guaranteed to alleviate Gaza’s suffering.

“These are not just legal obligations but fundamental duties of humanity,” the ministry asserted.

Unwavering Solidarity with Palestine

Türkiye reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause, vowing to continue its diplomatic efforts to rally global support, particularly among Muslim-majority nations, and to back legal actions against Israel’s atrocities. “Türkiye will never abandon the just cause of the Palestinian people,” the statement declared.

A Deliberate Catastrophe

The scale of Gaza’s famine is staggering. According to UN data, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are trapped in famine conditions, with thousands more—mostly children—at risk of death in the coming weeks if aid remains obstructed. Palestinian health officials and humanitarian organizations have decried Israel’s tactics as deliberate: bakeries reduced to rubble, farmland razed, fishing waters blockaded, and aid convoys repeatedly attacked or delayed.

This starvation campaign, Türkiye and others argue, is not a byproduct of war but a calculated tool of genocide, as defined under international law.

A Global Call to Action

As Gaza’s people endure unimaginable suffering, Türkiye’s statement amplifies a growing international outcry. The starvation of an entire population cannot be ignored, and Ankara’s demands for a ceasefire, accountability, and unimpeded aid resonate as a clarion call for justice.

“Standing with Palestine is a matter of humanity, conscience, and justice,” the ministry concluded. “The world must act now to end this genocide and ensure the Palestinian people’s right to life, dignity, and freedom.”

Türkiye’s unwavering stance underscores its role as a leading voice in the fight for Palestinian rights, urging the international community to confront Israel’s crimes and alleviate the horrors unfolding in Gaza. (ILKHA)