Albanese calls for arms sales halt to 'Israel', review of credentials
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The UN special rapporteur on Palestine urges for halting arms sales to the Israeli occupation as it continues to use said weapons to commit genocide in Gaza.
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Palestinian women mourn over victims following an Israeli bombardment, at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, December 8, 2024. (AP)
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on Palestine, urged the international community on Wednesday to halt direct arms transfers to the Israeli occupation and review its UN credentials, emphasizing that impunity for human rights violations cannot be tolerated.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on "Human Rights Violations in Gaza and Across the Occupied Palestinian Territory," Albanese highlighted the devastating human toll of the ongoing war. She stated that over 44,000 people have been killed by Israeli snipers and bombs, with women and children comprising 70% of the fatalities.
"More than 100,000 people are wounded, and thousands remain untreated, unable to access care for even the most basic conditions," Albanese said. "As if this was not enough, they now face a second winter in makeshift camps without adequate food or clothing."
The event also featured other UN experts, including Margaret Satterthwaite, special rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism; and George Katrougalos, special rapporteur on Promoting a Democratic and Equitable International Order.
The experts addressed ongoing human rights violations in Gaza and the broader occupied Palestinian territories, while also condemning verbal attacks on the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Currently, the ICJ is considering two key cases related to the war on Gaza. One, brought by South Africa, accuses the Israeli regime of genocide through direct killings and the denial of essential resources. The other, filed by Nicaragua, challenges Germany's arms transfers to the Israeli occupation.
Attacks on hospitals
Over a hundred Israeli shells, rockets, and drone strikes, have targeted Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the hospital's director, Dr. Houssam Abu Safiya, announced on Saturday.
During a press release, Dr. Abu Safiya described the western wing of the hospital as "horrific" following Israeli attacks, which have severely impacted several departments, including operation rooms, roofs, courtyards, and windows in the neonatal intensive care units.
The damage, according to the director, is extremely severe and poses significant hazards following the destruction of water tanks, oxygen generators, and water pumps, and the targeting of fuel tanks, leading to the ignition of a fire, which was extinguished by one of the employees using sand.
It is estimated that it would take at least ten hours, if not a full day, to carry out urgent repairs, he further stated, calling for the need to coordinate repair operations as fast as possible.
Dire humanitarian situation
Albanese described the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the entire population has been displaced, many multiple times, and hundreds of thousands have permanently lost their homes.
Speaking on the humanitarian crisis, Albanese stated, "In the past four months alone, nearly 19,000 children have been hospitalized for acute malnutrition. Famine today is a reality."
Albanese also condemned Israeli actions in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, citing blocked humanitarian aid, militarized security operations, settlement expansion, evictions, demolitions, and a "shoot-to-kill" policy. These measures, she said, are causing immense suffering and injustice to Palestinians.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Palestinian territories, including Gaza.
Margaret Satterthwaite, another UN expert, emphasized the global response to the arrest warrants. "Dozens of states have affirmed their support for the court and their intention to comply with their legal obligations to cooperate with the ICJ," she said.
However, Satterthwaite expressed concern over reactions from certain states, which have criticized the court and its officials. She noted instances of verbal attacks on the ICJ, including accusations of antisemitic bias and derogatory remarks. Some officials have dismissed the court as a "kangaroo court" and a "dangerous joke," with threats of sanctions against its officials.
