United Nations human rights experts have called for Israel to face consequences for what they describe as “inflicting maximum suffering” on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The experts accuse Israel of repeatedly violating international law, shielded by the protection of its allies.
“International humanitarian law establishes universal and binding rules to safeguard civilians and limit methods of warfare.
“Israel has openly defied these rules, causing severe civilian suffering in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond,” the group of 11 experts said in a joint statement.
The statement follows the Gaza war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has claimed over 45,500 lives, predominantly civilians, based on figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
The experts allege that Israel committed crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, sexual violence, and forced displacement.
They also pointed out potential war crimes, such as indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the use of starvation as a weapon of war and collective punishment.
“Civilians are protected under international law and are not legitimate military targets,” the experts stressed. “Actions aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal.”
The group urged immediate, independent investigations into these alleged violations. They warned that Israel’s continued immunity from accountability sends a “dangerous message” and demanded that Israeli leaders be held responsible for their actions.
The experts expressed particular concern over Israel’s operations in northern Gaza, describing the military offensive as potentially aimed at displacing the population permanently to pave the way for Gaza’s annexation.
The signatories included special rapporteurs on issues such as displacement, education, health, food security, and counter-terrorism.
Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the rights of Palestinians, was among them.
Israel has previously criticised Albanese, accusing her of political bias.
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