Stocker: Refusal of humanitarian aid violates international law!

Stocker: Refusal of humanitarian aid violates international law!

Gaza-Streifen, Palästina - Chancellor Christian Stocker commented in an interview with Manuela Szinovatz on the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Especially refusing humanitarian aid is a clear violation of international law, an opinion that he shares with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250603_ots0157/bk-stocker-beit-oesterreich-zu- israel-wenn-humanitere-hilt-wigert-das-verstoss-against-das-voelklecht) asked the international help for the humanitarian aid To enable civilian population that are misused by Hamas according to reports.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened drastically in recent years. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 80% of the population rely on humanitarian aid, while unemployment has achieved almost 50%. Israel has closed the border crossings and drastically restricted goods traffic, which has led to an acute scarcity of food, water and medical care. Bashi, the program director of Human Rights Watch, indicated that many civilians are not only threatened by military actions, but also have to live in a situation of the deviation, which is inadmissible according to humanitarian international law.

legal responsibility and civil security

Stocker pointed out that the applicable international law prescribes the protection of civilians. However, the ongoing conflicts and the military reactions of Israel to Hamas attacks raise legal questions. According to the Constitutional Blog, it is prohibited for Israel to intentionally attack civilians or to have them starved in their threat of existence. Nevertheless, Israel is accused of not observing these international norms. A few days after the Hamas terrorist attack, on October 9, 2023, the then Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke of a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, which is more and more affected by the civilian population.

The location in the Gaza Strip is still tense, especially since reports on disproportionate attacks on civilians increase. Bashi from Human Rights Watch emphasizes that war law insists on distinguishing between the civilian population and combatate. This view is in contrast to the official explanations of Israel, which claims to only proceed against militant.

political implications and outlook

In addition, according to Constitutional Blog, the Israeli government not only refused humanitarian aid while fighting, but also used as a means of pressure against Hamas. The refusal must be based on factual, military considerations and must not be arbitrary. This decision questions compatibility with the principles of humanitarian international law and could have long -term political implications for the conflict

Overall, the current discourse shows that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip not only represents an acute emergency, but also promotes deeper legal and political questions that require international attention and actions.