United Nations human rights experts stated on Monday that Israel must be held accountable for “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, accusing Israel of defying international law with the protection of its allies.
“International humanitarian law comprises a set of universal and binding rules to protect civilian objects and persons who are not, or are no longer, directly participating in hostilities, and limits permissible means and methods of warfare,” the 11 experts said in a joint statement.
“Rather than abide by these rules, Israel has openly defied international law time and again, inflicting maximum suffering on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
“Israel continues to face no real consequences, largely due to the protection offered by its allies.”
The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed over 45,500 people in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, considered reliable by the UN.
The experts accused Israel of alleged crimes against humanity, including “murder, torture, sexual violence, and repeated forced displacement amounting to forcible transfer”.
They also pointed to alleged war crimes, such as “indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects… the use of starvation as a weapon of war” and “collective punishment”.
They emphasised that civilians are protected under international law and do not constitute military objectives, adding, “Acts aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal.”
‘Dangerous message’
The experts called for urgent, independent, and thorough investigations into alleged serious violations of international law.
“Israel’s continued impunity sends a dangerous message… Israel and its leaders must be held accountable,” they stated.
The experts expressed particular alarm over Israeli operations in northern Gaza.
Since October 6, 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have concentrated on the northern region, with officials claiming their offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
“This siege, coupled with expanding evacuation orders, appears intended to permanently displace the local population as a precursor to Gaza’s annexation,” the experts alleged.
UN rights experts are independent figures mandated by the Human Rights
Council and do not speak for the United Nations itself.
The 11 experts included the special rapporteurs on internally displaced persons, cultural rights, education, physical and mental health, arbitrary executions, the right to food, and the protection of rights while countering terrorism.
Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, was among the experts. Israel has demanded her removal, accusing her of being a “political activist” who misuses her mandate “to hide her hatred for Israel”.
AFP
