UN rights experts said on Monday that Israel must face consequences for causing “maximum suffering” to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, accusing Israel of flouting international law and being sheltered by its allies.
The 11 experts said in a joint statement, “International humanitarian law comprises a set of universal and binding rules for the protection of civilian objects and persons who are not or are not directly participating in hostilities and are prohibited from engaging in hostilities. limit the means and methods.”
“Instead of abiding by these rules, Israel has repeatedly flagrantly disregarded international law, causing maximum suffering to civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
“Israel is not suffering any real consequences, largely because of the protection provided by its allies.”
The Gaza War began on October 7, 2023, due to a Hamas-led attack on Israel.
According to an AFP tabulation of Israeli official figures, it resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 45,500 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
The experts highlighted alleged crimes against humanity committed by Israel, including “murder, torture, sexual violence and repeated forced displacement amounting to forced transfer”.
They also noted alleged war crimes, including “indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects… the use of starvation as a weapon of war” and “collective punishment”.
He said civilians are protected persons and not military objectives under international law.
“Acts aimed at destroying them, wholly or partially, are genocide,” he said.
– ‘Dangerous message’ –
The experts called for an immediate, independent and thorough investigation into the alleged serious violations of international law.
He said, “Israel’s continued impunity sends a dangerous message…Israel and its leaders must be held accountable.”
Experts said they were particularly concerned by Israel’s operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Since October 6 this year, Israeli operations in Gaza have focused on the north, with officials saying their ground and air strikes are aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping.
“This siege, along with the extension of evacuation orders, aims to permanently displace the local population as a precursor to the occupation of Gaza,” the experts said.
UN rights experts are independent individuals mandated by the Human Rights Council. Therefore they do not speak for the United Nations itself.
The 11 experts included the Special Rapporteur on internally displaced persons; cultural rights; Education; physical and mental health; arbitrary execution; Right to food; and protecting rights while combating terrorism.
Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, was also among the experts.
Israel has called for her removal, calling her a “political activist” who abused her mandate “to hide her hatred of Israel.”
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