(New York, 23rd) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that Israel's recent intensive attacks on the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah have brought further suffering to the starving Palestinian people.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Türk issued a statement on Tuesday (July 22) saying that Israel's airstrikes and ground operations will inevitably lead to more civilian deaths and further destruction of civilian infrastructure. Given the densely populated civilian area in Deir al-Balah and the combat methods and means employed by Israel so far, "the risk of unlawful killings and other serious violations of international humanitarian law is extremely high." Israel "must immediately stop the killings, destruction, and large-scale violations of international law."
Türk reminded Israel that permanently displacing people from occupied territory constitutes illegal transfer, which is a war crime and, in certain circumstances, may constitute a crime against humanity.
Türk also mentioned that several humanitarian organizations are stationed in Deir al-Balah. Israel must ensure the supply of food, medical care, and other essentials to the people of Gaza, and must immediately and unconditionally allow humanitarian aid to enter and be distributed to all those in need.
According to The Times of Israel, on July 20, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents in the southwestern district of Deir al-Balah. In the early hours of Monday (July 21), it launched multiple rounds of airstrikes and shelling on Deir al-Balah and deployed ground forces into the southern and eastern districts that same day. This is the first time since the outbreak of the current Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023 that Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive against Deir al-Balah.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Türk issued a statement on Tuesday (July 22) saying that Israel's airstrikes and ground operations will inevitably lead to more civilian deaths and further destruction of civilian infrastructure. Given the densely populated civilian area in Deir al-Balah and the combat methods and means employed by Israel so far, "the risk of unlawful killings and other serious violations of international humanitarian law is extremely high." Israel "must immediately stop the killings, destruction, and large-scale violations of international law."
Türk reminded Israel that permanently displacing people from occupied territory constitutes illegal transfer, which is a war crime and, in certain circumstances, may constitute a crime against humanity.
Türk also mentioned that several humanitarian organizations are stationed in Deir al-Balah. Israel must ensure the supply of food, medical care, and other essentials to the people of Gaza, and must immediately and unconditionally allow humanitarian aid to enter and be distributed to all those in need.
According to The Times of Israel, on July 20, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents in the southwestern district of Deir al-Balah. In the early hours of Monday (July 21), it launched multiple rounds of airstrikes and shelling on Deir al-Balah and deployed ground forces into the southern and eastern districts that same day. This is the first time since the outbreak of the current Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023 that Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive against Deir al-Balah.