The United Nations human rights chief condemns the ongoing lack of accountability of all parties involved in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The OHCHR released a recent report detailing a variety of issues, such as illegal killings, taking hostages, damaging civilian property, using collective punishment, displacing people against their will, promoting hate and violence, committing sexual assault, and inflicting torture.
All of these behaviors are forbidden under international laws concerning human rights and humanitarian concerns.
“The longstanding lack of consequences, as documented by our agency for many years, cannot be allowed to persist. All parties must be held accountable for the ongoing violations that have been observed during the 56 years of occupation and the 16 years of blockade in Gaza, up to the present day,” stated Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“Ensuring justice is crucial for breaking the cycle of violence and allowing Palestinians and Israelis to make significant progress towards peace.”
The report included information from a 12-month timeframe leading up to October 31, 2023. Additionally, it acknowledged the necessity of additional inquiries to determine the complete scope of violations against international law.
in
Advocating for just trials in
The High Commissioner, Mr. Türk, called on all parties to stop committing human rights and international humanitarian law violations and abuses. He also urged them to carry out swift, unbiased, fair, thorough, efficient, and open investigations into any reported violations.
He stated that those who committed violations must face consequences through impartial trials. He also urged all parties to work with global accountability mechanisms, such as the ICC and ICJ.
Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations.
The events and consequences of the October 7th attacks.
According to the report, Al Qassam, the militant branch of Hamas, and other Palestinian armed factions engaged in widespread and severe breaches of international law on October 7th and 8th.
Some of the offenses committed were aimed at innocent people, intentional killings and mistreatment of civilians, unnecessary destruction of civilian structures, and the capturing of hostages. These acts are considered to be war crimes.
The OHCHR report highlighted the need for thorough investigation and complete accountability in accordance with international law regarding accounts of rape, sexual assault, and torture committed by members of Palestinian armed groups and others.
The statement also mentioned that Israel’s military reaction and the tactics they chose have caused great harm to Palestinians, resulting in widespread civilian deaths, repeated displacement, and destruction of homes. Additionally, Palestinians have been deprived of adequate food and other necessities.
The report stated that women and children have faced particular hardships and that there have been blatant breaches of international law.
Three emblematic incidents
Conducting a widespread assault that leads to the death or harm of innocent civilians, or carrying out an attack with the awareness that it will result in disproportionate harm to civilians, are considered acts of war crimes – stated by High Commissioner Türk.
The report highlighted three notable events, along with many others, that have caused significant concerns regarding adherence to international humanitarian law.
The Jabalia Refugee Camp was hit twice and Al-Yarmouk in Gaza City was hit once, using explosive weapons that caused widespread damage in heavily populated areas. These strikes caused significant destruction and it has been reported that there was no warning or attempt to evacuate residential buildings before the attacks.
The OHCHR confirmed a total of 153 fatalities in the assaults, but the actual count may be as many as 243.
According to High Commissioner Türk, engaging in an untargeted assault that causes harm or death to innocent civilians, or knowingly carrying out an attack that will result in excessive and unintentional civilian casualties, is considered a violation of the laws of war.
Non-affiliated specialists advocate for a prohibition on the sale of weapons to Israel.
On Friday, a group of more than 30 independent experts on human rights from the United Nations urged for an urgent halting of arms sales to Israel.
They issued a statement cautioning that providing weapons or ammunition to Israel for use in Gaza could potentially breach international humanitarian law.
The experts stated that all countries are obligated to ensure that parties involved in an armed conflict abide by international humanitarian law, as mandated by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international law.
“States are prohibited from transferring any weapons, ammunition or components if there is a reasonable expectation, based on past behavior or facts, that they will be used to violate international law.”
The specialists were pleased with the recent ruling of a Dutch appeals court, which demanded that the Government stop exporting F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. This decision was made due to the “clear risk” of significant breaches of international humanitarian law.
It was stated that the International Court of Justice’s recent ruling, which acknowledges the potential for genocide in Gaza, emphasizes the necessity of an arms embargo on Israel.
The experts who published the statement were selected by the United Nations Human Rights Council and work independently from both the UN and national governments.
They are not employees of the United Nations and do not receive compensation for their efforts.
A housing complex is destroyed in the Al-Shaboura area of Rafah city, located in the southern region of the Gaza Strip.
Humanitarian situation
Despite efforts, the dire humanitarian crisis continues to prevail in the Gaza Strip without any indication of improvement.
On February 20 and 21, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that only 69 aid trucks were able to enter the war-torn area, which falls far short of the goal of 500. This was due to challenges faced while attempting to deliver supplies through Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings.
The statement mentioned that there were instances where they had to temporarily halt the distribution of resources due to security concerns.
Humanitarian workers have observed a significant increase in malnutrition rates among children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The situation is particularly concerning in northern Gaza, where one out of every six children is suffering from severe malnutrition.
Source: news.un.org
