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UN says Israel may have committed war crimes in Nuseirat massacre

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 6:23 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 6:31 PM ]

Palestinians walk in rubble after Israeli attacks in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on June 8, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says war crimes may have been committed during Israel’s deadly raid on Nuseirat in central Gaza.

Jeremy Laurence, a spokesman for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, said on Tuesday the office is “profoundly shocked” at the impact of the Israeli assault on civilians.

“The manner in which the raid was conducted in such a densely populated area seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution – as set out under the laws of war – were respected by the Israeli forces.”

Laurence also criticized Palestinian resistance groups for holding Israeli captives in such densely populated areas.

There are more than 100 captives still being held in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Israel claimed to have rescued four captives in an operation in Nuseirat camp on Saturday which killed at least 274 people and injured around 700.

Israeli forces launched the raid in broad daylight, claiming to strike at military infrastructure in the camp as part of a "rescue operation."

But witnesses and journalists on the ground say Israel bombed residential buildings, leading to higher casualties.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already called on Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza. Israel remains blatantly reluctant to abide.

Israel infiltrated Nuseirat camp using humanitarian aid trucks, furniture lorries: Report

The Israeli occupation forces resorted to various ploys, including the use of humanitarian aid trucks and furniture moving lorries, to infiltrate into the Nuseirat refugee camp, reports say.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Laurence said Turk welcomed the UN Security Council resolution passed on Monday to endorse a Gaza ceasefire proposal. He said all parties must ensure the “unfettered flow of humanitarian aid.”

Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday it endorses the resolution and is ready to cooperate with mediators to enter more indirect negotiations over the implementation of the resolution.

Israel has failed to abide by previous UN ceasefire resolutions, including most recently in March. It has also not complied with the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to cease its genocidal actions in Gaza and “immediately halt” its operations in the southernmost city of Rafah.

UNICEF said on Tuesday at least 3,000 malnourished children in southern Gaza were at risk of “dying before their families’ eyes.”

“Almost 3,000 children have been cut off from treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition in southern Gaza, putting them at risk of death as harrowing violence and displacement continue to impact access to healthcare facilities and services for desperate families.”

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