'Clear evidence' of war crimes committed in Gaza and Israel - UN commission
The United Nations (UN) Independent International Commission of Inquiry has reported that there is clear evidence suggesting that war crimes may have been committed in the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. This assessment was made by the commission of inquiry, which conducts studies on the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and Israel. The commission emphasized the presence of clear evidence indicating potential war crimes in the ongoing conflict that started on October 7.
- World
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 04:10 | 10 October 2023
- Modified Date: 04:11 | 10 October 2023
There is already "clear evidence" of war crimes committed by both sides during the intense violence in Israel and Gaza, including the targeting of civilians, according to a United Nations commission monitoring the conflict.
All those who violated international humanitarian law or targeted civilians must be held accountable, demanded the commission of inquiry, which was established by the the UN Human Rights Council in 2021.
"Reports that armed groups from Gaza have gunned down hundreds of unarmed civilians are abhorrent and cannot be tolerated. Taking civilian hostages and using civilians as human shields are war crimes," the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said on Tuesday.
The commission also said it is "gravely concerned with Israel's latest attack on Gaza and Israel's announcement of a complete siege on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will undoubtedly cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment."
The commission has begun collecting evidence of war crimes since Hamas launched massive attacks on Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza. It said it would collect evidence to identify the attackers themselves as well as those who ordered attacks.
The commission expresses deep sorrow over the escalating violence and urges both Israeli security forces and Palestinian armed groups to adhere fully to international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Additionally, it calls for the immediate and safe release of all individuals held hostage by Palestinian armed groups.
The UN statement underscored that the sole path to ending the violence and establishing lasting peace lies in ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, acknowledging the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and effectively addressing the fundamental causes of the conflict.
All those who violated international humanitarian law or targeted civilians must be held accountable, demanded the commission of inquiry, which was established by the the UN Human Rights Council in 2021.
"Reports that armed groups from Gaza have gunned down hundreds of unarmed civilians are abhorrent and cannot be tolerated. Taking civilian hostages and using civilians as human shields are war crimes," the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said on Tuesday.
The commission also said it is "gravely concerned with Israel's latest attack on Gaza and Israel's announcement of a complete siege on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will undoubtedly cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment."
The commission has begun collecting evidence of war crimes since Hamas launched massive attacks on Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza. It said it would collect evidence to identify the attackers themselves as well as those who ordered attacks.
The commission expresses deep sorrow over the escalating violence and urges both Israeli security forces and Palestinian armed groups to adhere fully to international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Additionally, it calls for the immediate and safe release of all individuals held hostage by Palestinian armed groups.
The UN statement underscored that the sole path to ending the violence and establishing lasting peace lies in ending the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, acknowledging the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and effectively addressing the fundamental causes of the conflict.
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