UN Experts Urge Probe into Potential War Crimes in Gaza Conflict
Calls for independent investigations into alleged war crimes and human rights abuses during the Gaza conflict have been made by two United Nations (UN) experts. In a statement issued from Geneva, they emphasized the necessity for unbiased, rigorous, and comprehensive probes into potential criminal activities by all involved in the conflict.
The experts cited numerous human rights violations occurring during the Gaza war, providing no specific examples. Among these alleged offenses are widespread abuse of civilians as human shields by militants in Gaza, collective punishment inflicted by Israel through the closure of Gaza, and thousands of civilian deaths and injuries due to Israeli bombardments.
Some points arising from recent weeks' activities could be construed as war crimes or crimes against humanity. Human rights advocates have pointed out instances such as the abduction of over 200 individuals during the October 7 Israeli raid on Gaza and the Israeli military's destruction of civilian infrastructure through bombings.
According to the UN experts, national courts possess the authority to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for these grave violations. They commend the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Commission of Inquiry on Israel and the Occupied Territories, which have been investigating and gathering evidence in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied West Bank.
Captain Morris Tidball-Binz serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary executions. Alice Jill Edwards holds the same position with respect to torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment. These rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council based on their expertise, and only the Council, consisting of 47 countries, can make decisions on their appointed matters.
- Numerous reports have surfaced, implicating Israel in questionable practices during the Gaza conflict, such as the use of civilians as human shields and the intentional targeting of civilian infrastructure.
- United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has emphasized the importance of addressing human rights abuses in the context of conflicts, advocating for accountability and justice.
- In response to the UN's call for an investigation into potential war crimes in Gaza, various humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups have voiced concerns regarding health issues exacerbated by the conflict, including inadequate medical facilities and the lack of vital supplies in the region, which have resulted in significant health disparities and suffering among the local population.
Enrichment data:
- War Crimes and Human Rights Violations:
- Indiscriminate Attacks: Israeli airstrikes have been deemed indiscriminate and in violation of international law, leading to thousands of civilian casualties.
- Targeting Civilian Infrastructure: Hospitals, schools, and other civilian buildings were declared legitimate military targets by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
- Summary Executions: More than a dozen cases of unarmed defendants being summarily executed by Israeli soldiers have been reported, with alleged patterns of systematic killings.
- Forced Evacuation and Displacement: UN investigations have raised concerns about forced evacuation and displacement of Palestinian civilians, potentially constituting war crimes.
- Mass Graves and Intentional Killing of Civilians: The discovery of mass graves containing bodies with signs of severe human rights violations has prompted demands for independent investigations.
- Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid: The ICC has accused Israeli authorities of unlawfully obstructing humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population.
- Actions Taken:
- ICC Arrest Warrants: The ICC has issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, among others, for alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Investigations and Probes: Israel has conducted internal probes and investigations to review controversial incidents, such as the summary execution of an elderly deaf man.
- International Legal Actions: Legal actions have been taken against Israeli military personnel for their alleged involvement in war crimes and human rights violations, including South Africa's genocide accusations and a Brazilian investigation into an Israeli army reservist.
- UN Condemnations: The UN has repeatedly condemned Israel's actions during the Gaza conflict, including its forced evacuations and destruction of infrastructure, urging an immediate ceasefire and accountability for all alleged violations.
