UN official calls Israeli conduct in Gaza ‘institutionalized impunity'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Dec 2023 15:03
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The UN's Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing names all kinds of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation "impunity for occupation. For a war of extermination. Genocide, war crimes..."

A child fled with her siblings after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. (AFP via Getty Images)

Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, stressed that a "humanitarian ceasefire" is the sole means to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza's civilians, secure the release of captives, and halt the "devastating loss of lives."

For aid to reach people in need, hostages to be released, more displacement to be avoided and above all the devastating loss of lives to stop a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is the only way forward.

War defies logic and humanity and prepares a future of more hatred, less peace.
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) December 24, 2023

On Friday, the UN Security Council approved a resolution advocating for a substantial distribution of aid to Gaza, but notably, the resolution did not insist on a cessation of hostilities. Rather, it only urged the establishment of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities." Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, cautioned that facilitating increased supplies across the Gaza border represents just the initial phase in averting the looming dangers of famine and deadly epidemics.

Approximately 80% of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced due to Israeli aggression, as estimated by the UN. Many individuals who were forcibly displaced in the southern regions, presuming "relative safety", found themselves once again under the threat of relentless Israeli bombing.

Impunity for occupation

The UN's Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, who has been observing the destruction of civilian housing and infrastructure in Gaza, posted on X: "What has happened in Gaza is the result of what I call institutionalized impunity. Impunity for occupation. For a war of extermination. Genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity."

What has happened in Gaza is the result of what I call ‘institutionalized impunity’. Impunity for occupation. For a war of extermination. Genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. If the ICC does not act very soon, we need a special tribunal for Gaza and action by States.
— UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing (@adequatehousing) December 23, 2023

The death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 20,424, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, reporting an additional 54,036 people injured.

The Palestinian Government Information Office in Gaza said the Israeli occupation forces carried out summary executions of 137 civilians in the Gaza and North governorates.