OHCHR deplores the latest Israeli strikes on Gaza City, including repeated strikes on Ash Shati' refugee Camp, which have led to further civilian casualties, including children, in a context where civilians are suffering from life-threatening lack of food, clean water and access to objects indispensable to their survival.
In the span of less than 36 hours, between 21 and 22 June, at least 3 strikes rocked Ash Shati' Camp: a 5-story residential building was hit around 1530 hours on 21 June, reportedly killing 8 Palestinians; multiple residential buildings were hit and completely destroyed in the vicinity of As Sousi mosque around noon on 22 June, reportedly killing at least 24 persons, including children; and another residential building hit around 2300 hours on the same day, reportedly killing 2 children. Notably, Ash Shati' Camp is located in the west of Gaza City, where Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) repeatedly ordered residents of North Gaza to evacuate.
On 22 June, the IDF issued a short statement that their aircraft struck “two Hamas military infrastructure sites” in the Gaza City area. As our office has repeatedly reiterated, Israel’s conduct of hostilities in Gaza continues to raise concerns over serious violations of international humanitarian law. This includes violation of the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks that employ a method or means of combat which cannot be directed at a specific military objective and the effects of which cannot be limited. The effects of Israeli strikes on residential blocks and houses - - and the resulting high numbers of civilians killed and injured are entirely foreseeable, appearing to violate the fundamental requirement to select means and methods of warfare that minimize or avoid civilian harm. Furthermore, these attacks also appear to be disproportionate in that they would be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.
In the occupied West Bank, OHCHR condemns continued and flagrant violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law binding on Israel as the occupying Power. On 22 June, the ISF raided a home in Jenin, shot and injured three Palestinian men, and arrested three. In yet another example of lawless behaviour, the ISF tied one of the men – who had been shot by them in the arm and thigh - to the hood of a military jeep in an abusive manner. They subsequently moved him for about 200 meters before allegedly interrogating and releasing him and allowing PRCS to provide medical aid. The ISF announced an investigation into the incident.
Such actions constitute serious violations of Israel’s obligations under occupation law concerning protected persons and under international human rights law concerning individual rights to life and health, the absolute prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact ohchr-opt@un.org
Tag and share:
Twitter @OHCHR_Palestine
Facebook UN Human Rights Palestine