United Nations human rights experts have issued a stern call for Israel to face consequences over alleged violations of international law during its military operations in Gaza. Accusing Israel of “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians, the experts highlighted severe humanitarian concerns in a joint statement released today.
The statement, signed by 11 UN special rapporteurs and experts, follows the recent Gaza conflict that erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, primarily civilians, according to Israeli authorities. In response, the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has reportedly claimed over 45,500 lives, mostly civilians, based on figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
The UN experts have accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and forced displacement. They also cited potential war crimes, such as indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, starvation used as a weapon of war, and acts of collective punishment.
“Civilians are protected under international law and are not legitimate military targets,” the experts emphasized in their statement. “Actions aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal.”
The experts expressed alarm over Israel’s military campaign in northern Gaza, suggesting it may be designed to permanently displace the population and facilitate annexation of the territory. They stressed the urgency of independent investigations into the alleged violations, warning that continued immunity for Israel undermines international accountability.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights, joined other signatories in demanding that Israeli leaders be held accountable. They argued that Israel’s actions, enabled by the support of its allies, have repeatedly defied universal humanitarian norms.
“International humanitarian law establishes universal and binding rules to safeguard civilians and limit methods of warfare,” the experts noted, adding that Israel’s actions send a “dangerous message” about the lack of consequences for violating these norms.
Israel has previously dismissed criticisms from UN experts, accusing figures such as Albanese of political bias. However, the calls for accountability have reignited debate over the international community’s role in addressing alleged human rights violations.
The group of experts urged swift global action, asserting that justice for the victims of the Gaza conflict is long overdue. They warned that failure to hold Israel accountable would further erode international law and encourage impunity in conflicts worldwide.
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