UN slams Israeli siege on Gaza as violation of international law
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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk calls on the global community to defuse the "explosive powder keg" situation in Palestine.
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Volker Turk during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council at the European headquarters for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 7, 2023 (AP)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on the global community to defuse the "explosive powder keg" situation in Palestine.
He also demanded the Palestinian Resistance factions release all the settlers they are taking captive during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
According to intelligence received by his office, Israeli airstrikes have damaged residential towers in Gaza City and other residential structures throughout Gaza, as well as schools and UNRWA grounds, resulting in civilian fatalities.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the number of martyrs resulting from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has surpassed 704, with the number of injuries exceeding 3,900.
In yet another war crime, Israeli occupation forces targeted journalists who were covering its aggression on Gaza.
He warned that "Israel's" siege of Gaza is illegal under international humanitarian law because it deprives civilians of necessities for survival and risks exacerbating the Strip's already dire humanitarian situation caused by the years-long initial siege by the same occupation entity.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas political bureau, declared on Tuesday that the Palestinian Resistance is not willing to engage in discussions regarding a prisoner exchange while Israeli attacks are still underway. He emphasized that any negotiations on this matter would only occur under conditions acceptable to the Resistance.
'Israel' tightens its seige on Gaza
In response to the announcement made by the Israeli security minister Yoav Gallant, ordering a full siege of the city, Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch "Israel" and Palestine Director for Human Rights, posted on X that depriving a population of food and electricity is "collective punishment" and that this is the Israeli occupation's method of utilizing starvation as a weapon of war.
According to the Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz, all the water supply from "Israel" to Gaza has been cut off.
Gallant, as quoted by GLZ Radio, has ordered to cut off electricity, water, and food from Gaza in the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
He revealed the occupation's true face by referring to the Palestinians in Gaza as "human animals," whom he will have to deal with "accordingly".
Read more: HRW director calls Israeli siege 'collective punishment', 'war crime'
