The report details the horrifying reality facing both Israeli and Gazan peoples since October 7, 2023, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned that Israel must abide by international law and Gaza’s He stressed that full and immediate compliance with obligations under the Regulation is essential. war.
“It is important that a due reckoning on allegations of serious violations of international law is carried out through a reliable and impartial judicial body, during which time all relevant information and evidence is collected and preserved,” he said. .
The United Nations High Commissioner considers the totality of the acts described in the report and taking into account recent events such as the ongoing Israeli operations in northern Gaza and the adoption of legislation affecting the activities of United Nations agencies. , said this is even more important and urgent. UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
Possible genocide, crimes against humanity
The detailed analysis of violations covers a six-month period from November 2023 to April 2024, and examines a wide range of killings of civilians and violations of international law, which in many cases could amount to war crimes. I am doing it.
According to the report, these violations can constitute crimes against humanity if committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians or even the policies of a state or organization.
The report also warns that these violations may amount to genocide if they are committed with the intention of destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. did.
According to the report, “In a series of orders on interim measures, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has emphasized Israel’s international obligations to prevent, protect and punish genocide and related prohibited acts.” It is said that
Crimes committed by armed groups
According to the report, Palestinian armed groups are also conducting hostilities in ways that are likely to cause harm to civilians.
The report states that on October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian extremists have committed a wide range of attacks against Israeli and foreign civilians, killings and abuses of civilians, sexual violence, and the destruction and extortion of civilian property. He said he had committed a serious violation of international law. hostage.
The report said these acts could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, and that Hamas and other armed groups celebrated these attacks and violations after October 7, calling them “extremely serious”. “This is alarming and completely unacceptable.”
States must prevent atrocities
Mr. Türk recalled the obligation of States to act to prevent atrocity crimes and called for supporting the work of accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), in relation to current conflicts.
The report also noted repeated statements by Israeli officials that an end to the conflict depends on the destruction of the entire Gaza Strip and the exodus of Palestinians.
It also documented efforts to rationalize discrimination, hostility, violence, and even exclusion against Palestinians.
Most of the deaths are children
The report examines how civilians are affected, including the initial “total siege” of Gaza by Israeli forces and the Israeli government’s continued unlawful failure to allow, facilitate and ensure the entry of humanitarian aid. The Gaza Strip is facing the brunt of the attack, and the destruction of the Gaza Strip has been revealed. Private infrastructure and repeated mass evacuations.
This action by the Israeli military resulted in unprecedented levels of murder, death, injury, starvation and disease, the report said.
The United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, has reviewed the personal information of people killed in attacks, shelling and other hostilities in Gaza, and found that nearly 70 percent were children and women, which is the highest in Gaza. It shows a systematic violation of fundamental principles. International humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality.
The report said that the continuation of such attacks, in which entire populations are killed equally, “demonstrates a clear indifference to the deaths of civilians and the consequences of the chosen means and methods of war. ” states.
Children account for the highest number of confirmed deaths.
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