Extermination, destruction in Gaza can only be 'genocide': UN expert
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UN Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng says the situation in Gaza exhibits characteristics of an apartheid regime and a prolonged occupation, meeting the definition of genocide under international law.
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Medics treat a wounded child from an Israeli bombardment of the Nuseirat refugee camp at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP)
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health Tlaleng Mofokeng made a stark declaration regarding "Israel's" actions in Gaza, outrightly calling them genocide.
In an interview for the Turkish news agency Anadolu on Friday, Mofokeng condemned "Israel's" military operations in Gaza as tantamount to "literally destroying" the population in the besieged Palestinian territory.
"I'm not in charge of prosecuting anybody," Mofokeng said. "But when you have a group of people who have literally been exterminated, what else is there to declare it a genocide."
Mofokeng said that the situation in Gaza exhibits characteristics of an apartheid regime and a prolonged occupation, meeting the definition of genocide under international law.
"We know that people are trying to survive, but that’s really all they can do," she said.
Calling for urgent international action, Mofokeng urged the global community to hold the Israeli regime accountable in international courts for its actions.
She also criticized the US and its allies for supporting "Israel" in its genocidal war against Palestinians.
"How many more children must die," Mofokeng questioned, lamenting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Read more: Thousands of Palestinian children buried under rubble in Gaza: UNICEF
The latest estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry reveal that the death toll has risen to 37,834, in addition to 86,858 injuries.
The Ministry added that "Israel" committed three massacres in 24 hours, killing 40 Palestinians and injuring 224 others.
UN Guterres puts 'Israel' on list of global offenders against children
On June 7, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put the Israeli occupation's military on a global list of offenders who have committed abuses against children.
Guterres' yearly report to the 15-member Security Council on children and armed conflict addresses the killing, maiming, sexual assault, kidnapping or recruiting of children, denial of assistance access, and targeting of schools and hospitals.
The list is divided into two categories: parties that have implemented child-protection measures and those that have not. Erdan stated that he was informed that "Israel" had been added to the list of parties that had not implemented necessary child protection measures.
The investigation was produced by Virginia Gamba, Guterres' special representative for children and armed conflict. The list linked to the study tries to embarrass those involved in the hopes of persuading them to undertake child protection measures.
