The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights today condemned the “flagrant violation” of human rights by all parties in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and demanded that justice be served and that all those responsible be held accountable. “Justice is a prerequisite for ending the cycle of violence and for Palestinians and Israelis to take meaningful steps towards peace,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, in a 12-month report on human rights in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank released today.
The report raises a large number of issues related to, as stated, killing, abduction of people, destruction of civilian property, collective punishment and denial of essential services, attacks on civilian infrastructure, forced displacement, incitement to hatred and violence, sexual assault and torture, which is all prohibited by international regulations on human rights or international humanitarian law.
The report indicates that additional investigations are needed to determine the full extent of the crime.
Türk called on all parties to immediately stop the violation of international humanitarian law and conduct immediate, independent, impartial, detailed, efficient and transparent investigations into all allegations and that all those responsible are held accountable in court.
He called on all parties to cooperate with all accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. The report says that the armed wing of Hamas “Al Qasim” and other armed Palestinian groups committed a grave and extensive violation of international law in the attack on the south of Israel on October 7 and 8. These are attacks on civilians, intentional killing and mistreatment of civilians, indiscriminate destruction of civilian objects and taking hostages, which constitute a war crime.
It added that further investigation and full accountability in accordance with international law is required regarding statements that Palestinian attackers and others committed rape, other sexual assaults and torture. It goes on to say that Israel’s response to it and its choice of means and methods of warfare have led to massive Palestinian suffering, including the killing of large numbers of Palestinian civilians, widespread and repeated displacement, destruction of homes and deprivation of food and other necessities of life.
It is indicated that women and children suffered in particular, in clear violation of international law. The report says that severe restrictions on the supply of basic services and humanitarian aid imposed by Israel on Gaza have led to hunger, suffering from dehydration and the spread of disease.
The report indicates that the majority of the population has been repeatedly displaced and crowded into shelters. The Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza constitutes collective punishment and may also amount to the use of starvation as a method of warfare, which are war crimes, and may also, depending on further investigation, constitute other serious crimes under international law.
The report cites three key cases out of many that raise deep concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law.
These are two military attacks on the Jabaliya refugee camp and one on Al Yarmuk in Gaza City, with the use of “explosive weapons with a wide effect” in a densely populated area. This caused enormous destruction, and there was no warning before the attack, nor was there an attempt to evacuate residential buildings.
The UN Office for Human Rights determined that between 153 and 243 people died in those attacks.
“Launching indiscriminate attacks that result in the death or injury of civilians, or an attack with the knowledge that it will cause excessive civilian loss, injury or damage, constitutes a war crime,” Türk said.
The report also condemns the attacks that damaged or destroyed a large number of hospitals across Gaza and indicates that medical facilities are protected infrastructure under international humanitarian law.
The report calls for responsibility for Israeli practices in another Palestinian territory – the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. There, since October 7, the number of cases of unlawful killings, mass arrests, harassment and disproportionate movement restrictions has increased significantly.
