By The opinion
Jun 19, 2024, 10:49 PM EDT
As the war drags on in Gaza, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned Israel’s “relentless” attacks on the war-torn enclave, while reiterating calls for the release of all remaining hostages.
In his traditional opening speech to the Human Rights Council, meeting in Geneva, the top UN human rights official also reiterated the serious concern expressed by his Office about war crimes committed by all parties since the outbreak of the conflict. on October 7, triggered by Hamas-led attacks against multiple targets in Israel.
120,000 dead and injured in the enclave
“There has been disproportionate death and suffering,” Türk told member states, highlighting the widespread destruction caused by more than eight months of intense fighting.
“More than 120,000 people in Gaza, the vast majority of them women and children, have been killed or injured since October 7 as a result of intense Israeli offensives,” he said.
In addition to those maimed or killed by intense Israeli shelling, the High Commissioner noted that since Israeli forces intensified operations in Rafah in early May, nearly a million Palestinians have been uprooted “once again,” while Aid deliveries have been reduced, further affecting humanitarian access.
“The arbitrary denial and obstruction of humanitarian aid has continued, and Israel continues to arbitrarily detain thousands of Palestinians. “This must end,” the UN human rights chief insisted, echoing concerns raised by UN humanitarian workers who described how thousands of refugee families in Deir A-Balah live in overcrowded conditions and lack sanitation, with access to only 0.7 liters of water per person per day.
“Food distributions are irregular, and residents have reported a number of health problems, including hepatitis A, skin diseases and respiratory illnesses,” the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an update on Friday.
Israel may have systematically violated the laws of war in Gaza
A UN investigation into the bombings of Israeli army in Gaza has revealed that the laws of war have been “systematically violated” regarding the use of enormously powerful bombs and the alleged lack of distinction between combatants and civilians, the Organization’s human rights officer declared this Wednesday.
The conclusion follows investigations by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into six attacks by Israeli forces that it has described as emblematic, in which it is suspected that Bombs weighing up to 920 kg were used against residential buildings, a school, refugee camps and a market.
These approximately 3.4-meter weapons, along with smaller versions, were deployed between October 9 and December 2, 2023, causing 218 confirmed deaths, the Office said, adding that the actual number of fatalities was likely much higher.
“The requirement to select means and methods of warfare that avoid or at least minimize harm to the civilian population appears to have been systematically violated in Israel’s bombing campaign,” said High Commissioner Volker Türk.
Keep reading:
• Joe Biden celebrates the rescue of four hostages in the Gaza Strip
• UN Security Council approves US resolution on Biden’s Gaza truce proposal
• Netanyahu accepted invitation to address US Congress