Warnings issued by UN High Commissioner over alleged ethnic cleansing occurrences in Gaza.
Latest Escalation in Gaza and Ethnic Cleansing Allegations
The latest wave of bombings in Gaza and the denial of humanitarian aid hint at a push for a permanent demographic shift in the region, which breaches international law and resembles ethnic cleansing, according to Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down in March, shortly after Israel enforced a complete blockade on Gaza that aid agencies argue has triggered critical food shortages, and famine seems imminent.
Israeli media reported recently that the military intensified its attacks on Gaza following the government's approval of a plan to reconquer the territory earlier this month. However, the army hasn't publicly announced the expansion of the campaign yet.
Turk raised concerns that the intensified assaults from this week could signal the commencement of a broader Israeli offensive. "It's high time we halted this madness," he said, demanding all parties, including influential third states, to terminate the violence.
Medical services are already struggling under the strain, while access to shelter continues to dwindle due to displacement orders and destruction, he stated. Families are compelled to live in shoddy tents, stripping them of their human dignity, and severe hunger is escalating as a result of the Israeli blockade.
Israel halted aid to Gaza on March 2, a tactic they claim is intended to secure concessions from Hamas, which continues to hold hostage several dozen Israelis seized during a lethal attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, 2,876 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, bringing the total death toll to 53,010.
Turk mentioned specifically Israeli strikes that targeted two of the largest hospitals in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza – the Nasser Medical Complex and the European Hospital – leaving the latter inoperable.
"Hospitals are sacrosanct during times of war," Turk said. "Killing patients or individuals visiting their loved ones treated in hospitals, emergency workers, or civilians merely seeking refuge is as heart-wrenching as it is nightmarish. These attacks must cease immediately."
The rights chief emphasized that even if Israel's stated goal was to target Hamas command centers beneath the ground, and even if destroying these structures offered a tactical advantage, Israel is still obligated by international law to prioritize civilian lives. "It's plain to see that's not happening," he concluded.
Modern Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis
Currently, Gaza is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, accused of ethnic cleansing, and under a complete Israeli blockade that has caused widespread starvation and displacement. Since October 2023, Israeli military activities have resulted in the near-complete displacement of Gaza's population through forced evacuations and bombings. International human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and the UN Special Committee, have implicated Israel in war crimes and crimes against humanity [1][2].
[1] Gaza Grappling with Severe Humanitarian Crisis and Allegations of Ethnic Cleansing. Al Jazeera. 2025-03-25.[2] U.N. rights chief: Israeli Strikes Constitute War Crimes. CNN. 2025-03-25.[3] Ethnic Cleansing Allegations Against Israel in Gaza. BBC News. 2025-03-25.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by allegations of ethnic cleansing, continues as Israel enforces a complete blockade, causing widespread starvation and displacement.
- The United Nations Special Committee and Amnesty International have both implicated Israel in war crimes and crimes against humanity due to the situation in Gaza.
- Israel's military activities since October 2023 have led to the near-complete displacement of Gaza's population through forced evacuations and bombings.
- The fragile situation in Gaza requires immediate international attention, as Israeli strikes have been accused of breaching international law by targeting civilian areas and hospitals, which are sacrosanct during times of war.
