Israel’s starvation campaign in Gaza is “one of the worst cases of starvation, if not the worst,” in the 21st century, according to Michael Lynk, former UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories.

“This is entirely human-made, and this is entirely with the full view of the international community on it,” Lynk told Anadolu, emphasizing that no other modern conflict has prompted such consistent international condemnation as Palestine.

Lynk’s words are backed by findings from global experts and organizations, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring system, warning on Tuesday that “the worst-case scenario of famine” is currently unfolding in Gaza.

“Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths,” the IPC said in a new report. “Latest data indicates that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City.”

Stressing that malnutrition has been rising rapidly in the first half of July, the report found that over 20,000 Palestinian children have been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition between April and mid-July, with more than 3,000 severely malnourished.

Moreover, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 147 people have died of starvation since October 2023, including 88 children. Separately, Israel’s ongoing assault on the enclave has now killed more than 60,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to latest ministry data.

Lynk reiterated that while past incidents of mass starvation occurred largely away from global attention, the crisis Israel has created in Gaza is unfolding in full international view.

“We have this coming into our screens on a daily, or indeed an hourly basis. No one can claim that they don’t know what’s going on,” he said.

“No one can claim that they haven’t seen these images and reports of starvation of hundreds of Palestinians, and those who’ve been killed trying to get food, of the complete prohibition and banning of any humanitarian aid getting into Gaza for 11 weeks by Israel, of these UN resolutions demanding a ceasefire beginning in November 2023.”

‘Action, not Words’

Despite numerous UN resolutions and international appeals, Lynk said no meaningful change has been observed in Israel’s stance.

“None of it has made a significant change in how Israel is allowing food, fuel, medical supplies to get into Gaza,” he said.

Lynk stressed the need for immediate and concrete international actions, calling for sanctions and a halt to military support to Israel to bring tangible change.

“What is needed actually is action, not words,” he emphasized.

“What is needed is sanctions banning military supplies going to Israel, suspending free trade agreements with Israel. These are the kinds of actions that would have a meaningful impact upon Israeli political and military behavior. And we haven’t seen this after almost 22 months of an ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

Lynk also noted a clear divide between the Global North and Global South in responses to Gaza’s plight.

He said across the Global South – where countries have historically endured colonialism – public sentiment strongly opposes Israel’s actions, viewing Gaza as “unfinished business from the 20th century for the end of colonialism and the fulfillment of self-determination.”

In contrast, while segments of the Global North’s public opinion significantly reject Israel’s conduct, political leaders remain largely “supportive or passive,” Lynk added.

He pointed out that the US continues to shield Israel diplomatically at the UN Security Council and provides extensive military and economic support, perpetuating the occupation and violence.

“As long as the US exercises its veto at the Security Council, as long as the US gives extraordinary amounts of money and military weaponry to Israel … and as long as the rest of the international community, particularly the Global North, refuses to stand up and demand the US change its behavior … I’m afraid that international law will continue to be sidelined on this,” Lynk explained.

“There’s always going to be a struggle between law in the service of power and law in the service of justice – and right now, law in the service of power … is winning.”