UN warns of civilian devastation in Gaza

Israel's aggression in northern Gaza may be leading to the destruction of the population through "death or forced displacement", said the UN Human Rights Office, echoing similar concerns raised by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other groups.

Two weeks of Israeli siege has heavily affected northern Gaza, particularly the cities of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, as Israel continues to defy international calls for a cease-fire following the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Sunday that since Oct 6, the Israeli military has taken measures "that make life in north Gaza impossible for Palestinians "while "repeatedly ordering the displacement" of the entire region.

Between Oct 1 and 14, Israel blocked essential goods from entering northern Gaza, worsening the already dire situation, with fuel and food supplies dwindling and many facing starvation, it said.

Although a token amount of aid seemed to have entered the region after Oct 15, this "does not commensurate with the needs of the population", it added.

"While the Israeli military has demanded that all civilians leave north Gaza, it has continued to relentlessly bomb and attack the area, especially in and around Jabalia camp. These attacks have made it extremely dangerous for civilians to flee, and the UN Human Rights Office has received reports over the last weeks of Palestinians targeted while fleeing."

Israeli troops have also destroyed residential buildings and attacked schools serving as shelters, with one strike at a residential block in Beit Lahiya killing at least 87 people on Saturday, it said.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has condemned in the strongest terms the killings committed by the Israeli occupation forces in northern Gaza, citing Israeli operations as "a stain on the conscience of humanity".

Flagrant violation

In a statement on Sunday, it said such atrocities are in flagrant violation of international values, conventions, UN resolutions and orders issued by the International Court of Justice.

The UN Human Rights Office also urged Israel to observe provisional measures ordered by the ICJ on Jan 26 and that "as the occupying power", it must "ensure the provision of food, medical supplies and shelter for the population of Gaza".

Echoing the same view, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, said the breaching of the UN position and damaging of UN assets by Israel Defense Forces was "a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council Resolution 1701", alleging that an IDF bulldozer "deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position in Marwahin" in southern Lebanon.

"Despite the pressure being exerted on the mission and our troop-contributing countries, peacekeepers remain in all positions," UNIFIL said on Sunday.

Muhannad Al-Aklouk, Palestine's permanent representative to the Arab League, has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council, the official WAFA news agency reported on Sunday.

In a statement to WAFA, Al-Aklouk called on the Arab League members "to uphold their historical responsibility in addressing these unprecedented Israeli crimes".

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned Israel's actions in northern Gaza as "inhumane" and "pure evil and a war crime that humanity should not tolerate", urging immediate international action to stop the aggression.

Gokhan Ereli, a Gulf studies coordinator at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that Safadi's remarks suggest Jordan, along with other Arab countries, may push the Arab League to convene and present a unified stance.

He said Jordan's reference to war crimes could open the doors to renewed efforts to bring Israeli leaders before international courts, such as the International Criminal Court.

jan@chinadailyapac.com