'Israel' disregarded human rights, breached intl. law in Gaza: OHCHR

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
27 Feb 2025 11:05
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OHCR Chief Volker Turk presents a report detailing the human rights and international law violations "Israel" committed in Gaza and the West Bank.

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Members of the Nijim family hang laundry on the ruins of their house in Jabalia, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. (AP)

"Israel" consistently violated international law and showed immense disregard for human rights throughout the war on Gaza, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk stated on Wednesday.

While presenting an assessment of the human rights situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and East occupied al-Quds, Turk stressed, "Nothing justifies the appalling manner in which Israel has conducted its military operations in Gaza which consistently breached international law."

"The level of devastation in Gaza is massive - from homes to hospitals to schools", Turk told the council, adding that "restrictions imposed by Israel... have created a humanitarian catastrophe."

Turk also claimed the Islamic Resistance movement Hamas violated international law by firing projectiles into the Gaza Envelope. He further alleged that Hamas co-located military objectives among Palestinian civilians, a claim "Israel" exploited to destroy Gaza's civilian infrastructure and one which Hamas consistently disproved throughout the war.

Can the UN trust 'Israel's' judiciary?

He urged an independent investigation into all violations but questioned whether the Israeli justice system would ensure full accountability in line with international standards.

According to the OHCHR report, "Israel" has not responded to its request for full access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory to investigate violations.

The Palestinian representative at the Council stressed that "Israel" committed war crimes and genocide against Palestinians while also blocking aid to the enclave. "Tents have been denied together with model homes. It has impeded access of food and medicines," said Palestinian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, addressing the council.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated in January that the occupation has been denying access to aid missions delivering medicine and fuel to the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

In the first two weeks of January, according to OCHA, only 24% of planned aid missions delivering basic human needs from food, medicine, and water were able to enter Gaza.

In addition, around 95% of missions involving the allocation of fuel and medicines to water reservoirs were stopped and denied access to enter by the occupation. Out of the latter, five missions were to aid the Central Drug Store, four to Jabalia Medical Center, and eight to aid four critical reservoirs and water and waste pumps.

Condemnations of the war on West Bank

Turk additionally strongly condemned settler violence and Israeli military operations in the West Bank, as highlighted in the report. Since "Israel" launched the West Bank war last month—following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza after 15 months of war—at least 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Jenin and Tulkarm in the northern West Bank.

"The litany of unspeakable horrors perpetrated against the Palestinians is unprecedented," said Frankye Bronwen Levy, South Africa's representative.

The European Union backed the report’s call for an independent investigation and slammed "Israel’s" escalation in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

Meanwhile, Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, reiterated their demands for an end to the war and the establishment of a Palestinian state.