TEHRAN – Israel’s brutal war on the Gaza Strip, combined with its deliberate starvation policy, continues unchecked in the besieged Palestinian territory. 

On Friday alone, the Israeli army killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, including aid seekers. Since launching its offensive in October 2023, Israel has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians.

The near-total siege imposed by Israel has worsened starvation across Gaza. More than 300 Palestinians—including around 120 children—have died from hunger and malnutrition caused by the blockade.

The United Nations agency for children, UNICEF, has raised the alarm about the rapidly worsening food crisis. “It’s clear on the ground that famine is absolutely ravaging Gaza City,” UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told Al Jazeera.

Mohammed Abu Afash, director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, also told Al Jazeera that the Israeli army targets people waiting for aid and those inside their homes, even striking places it claims are safe. He said the situation in southern Gaza is extremely dangerous and cannot support the population of Gaza City.

In a significant move, more than 500 United Nations staff members have urged the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, to officially recognize Israel’s war on Gaza as genocide against the Palestinian people. The staff argued that Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of genocide, which involves acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. The letter warned that failing to label Israel’s assault as genocide “undermines” the credibility of the UN.

Israel already stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over committing war crimes in Gaza.

Adding to the international pressure, two prominent Israeli human rights organizations recently released a report in early August concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This is the first time Jewish-led groups within Israel have made such allegations during nearly two years of conflict.

Despite mounting evidence and international condemnation, Israel’s Western allies, including the United States, have failed to take meaningful action to stop the ongoing violence and genocide. Their continued political, military, and financial support of Israel has allowed the siege and bombardment to persist, deepening the humanitarian crisis. Many critics argue that without decisive intervention or pressure from these powerful allies, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza will continue unabated, with devastating consequences for the region’s stability and for international human rights.