Rafah
The UN experts have condemned the Israeli air strikes as a violation of international humanitarian law and have called for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions. They have emphasized the need for all parties involved to respect the rights of civilians and to ensure their protection during times of conflict.
The experts have also highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to be provided to those affected by the violence in Gaza, including access to medical care, food, and shelter. They have called on the international community to step up their efforts to provide support to those in need and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In addition, the experts have stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the violence in Gaza, including the ongoing occupation and blockade of the territory. They have called for a renewed commitment to a just and lasting peace in the region, based on respect for international law and the rights of all people living in the area.
Overall, the UN experts have made it clear that the situation in Gaza is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately. They are urging the international community to take action to protect the lives and rights of those affected by the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The experts mentioned that distressing pictures of devastation, displacement, and loss of life have surfaced from Rafah. They highlighted infants being torn apart and individuals being burnt alive. According to reports from the area, the airstrikes were indiscriminate and disproportionate, resulting in a horrifying number of casualties. People were trapped inside burning plastic tents, adding to the tragedy.
“These barbaric attacks are a flagrant violation of international law. They are also an attack on human decency and our collective humanity,” the experts said.
On the night of Sunday, May 26, 2024, it was reported that an Israeli air strike in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan resulted in the tragic loss of at least 46 Palestinian lives. Additionally, numerous individuals were treated for severe burns. Another devastating attack took place on Tuesday in al-Mawasi, Western Rafah, claiming the lives of 21 Palestinians, including 13 women.
“They said that it’s a serious violation of the laws of war and a sad reminder of the immediate need for international intervention and responsibility when sites that provide shelter to displaced Palestinians, including women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly, are targeted without any regard.”
Israeli leaders may say that the strikes were a ‘mistake’, but they still hold international legal responsibility. Simply labeling it as a mistake won’t make the strikes legal or provide solace to the grieving survivors in Rafah.
Israel completely ignored the ICJ’s ruling to stop the military offensive in Rafah, leading to the attack on Sunday night, experts noted.
The experts emphasized that the ICJ’s orders, such as the one given on 24th May 2024 to Israel, carry legal weight. They also highlighted that Israel, which has evaded accountability for its actions against the Palestinian people for many years and its harsh attack on the people of Gaza in the recent eight months, must adhere to these orders.
The experts insisted on a thorough international inquiry into the assaults on the Rafah displacement camps. “Those who committed these heinous acts should face consequences,” they emphasized.
They urged for prompt sanctions and other actions from the global community to push Israel to adhere to international law.
The UN experts have stated that the influx of weapons into Israel needs to cease right away. It’s obvious that these arms are being used to harm and kill innocent Palestinian civilians.
They insisted on unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and called for the blockade and limitations on delivering life-saving aid to be lifted for the civilians in the besieged area.
They mentioned that five percent of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured, with over 70 percent of homes destroyed and more than 75 percent displaced. They emphasized that the suffering of Gaza’s people needs to stop.
The specialists were extremely disappointed by the lack of unity in the international community to halt Israel’s violent attack, putting both Palestinians and Israeli captives at risk.
The experts were clear: “We can’t let this slide. The only way to restore our shared humanity is through an urgent and lasting ceasefire. We need to take concrete steps to document and hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities, while also ensuring the basic rights of Palestinians in Gaza.”