UN: Israel may have violated the laws of war

2024-06-19 18:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

UN: Israel may have violated the laws of war

Photo from the war, source AFP

Israeli forces may have repeatedly violated basic principles of the laws of war and failed to protect civilian lives in their military campaign in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations human rights office said on Wednesday. The report published today was criticized by Israel, which has been continuing the operation against Hamas for nine months.

In a report examining six Israeli attacks that caused heavy casualties and destroyed civilian infrastructure, the UN human rights office said Israeli forces "may have systematically violated the laws of war", including the principle of distinguish between civilians and combatants, precautions and the degree of force used in the attack.

Israel's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva called the report's findings and the methodology used flawed.

The report analyzes the details of six incidents that occurred between October 7 and December 2.

The UN had the opportunity to assess the weapons, targets and means used in these attacks.

"We thought it was important to release this report now, especially knowing that it's been about eight months since some of these attacks and we still haven't seen credible and transparent investigations," says Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN office. for human rights.

She called on the Israeli authorities to start an investigative process and added that in the absence of a transparent process, international action is necessary.

Meanwhile, in Jerusalem there is a bipartisan delegation of the US Congress led by the legislator Steny Hoyer.

In the meeting with the members of the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, expressed "grateful for the United States' stance with Israel" , while he called for the differences to be discussed calmly.

"We greatly appreciate the bipartisan support that transcends all the divisions and conflicts of American society in our battle for a free world against the Devil's Empire," said Mr. Herzog.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the United States is halting the delivery of weapons needed for the Gaza war, implying it is slowing Israel's offensive in the southern city of Rafah.

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said only the shipment of some large-caliber ammunition has been suspended.

Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza is in its ninth month.

Israel's air and ground attack has killed more than 37,400 people, according to health authorities in Hamas-controlled territory.

The war in Gaza began after the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, when about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli data./ VOA