UN Expert Urges Armed Peacekeepers for Aid Convoys Amid Rising Attacks in Gaza, Sudan

UN Expert Calls for Armed Peacekeepers to Protect Aid Convoys

A United Nations special rapporteur is urging the deployment of armed UN peacekeepers to safeguard humanitarian aid convoys in conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan. This call comes in response to the alarming rise in attacks targeting aid deliveries, where starvation is increasingly being used as a weapon of war.

Increased Targeting of Aid Convoys

Michael Fakhri, the UN's special rapporteur on the right to food, emphasizes the urgent need for armed protection to ensure food reaches vulnerable populations. The UN's human rights office has expressed deep concern over the escalating attacks, warning that obstructing aid constitutes a war crime. Recent incidents include deliberate targeting of humanitarian convoys in the Central African Republic, Haiti, and a deadly attack on a UN aid convoy en route to El Fasher in Sudan.

Dire Situation in Gaza

The situation in the Gaza Strip is particularly critical. Following Israel's imposition of a full humanitarian blockade, aid convoys entering Gaza have been repeatedly attacked, exacerbating the already dire conditions. Hunger is widely seen as being used as a weapon in the Gaza conflict.

Warning of Humanitarian Catastrophe

Fakhri warns that without concerted international intervention, humanitarian organizations may be forced to cease operations, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe. The UN security council's inability to act due to vetoes has prompted calls for the general assembly to authorize the deployment of peacekeepers.

Frustration and Independent Action

Frustration over the lack of international action has spurred activists to take matters into their own hands, attempting to break blockades and deliver aid independently. These efforts highlight the desperation and urgency of the situation.

Rising Attacks on Humanitarian Workers

Human Rights Watch has highlighted the alarming spike in attacks on humanitarian workers, attributing it to a sense of impunity. Louis Charbonneau, United Nations director at HRW, noted that last year saw a grim record for the number of humanitarian workers killed in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.

Control Over Aid as Power

Fakhri emphasizes that whoever controls aid distribution wields significant power in a particular region and conflict. He warns that continued attacks could force traditional aid distributors, such as the UN and the Red Cross, to give up, potentially leading to militarized operations taking over.