UN expresses apprehensions on potential war crimes in the Israel-Hamas conflict
The United Nations expressed concerns on Friday that both sides in the conflict between Israel and Hamas may be involved in war crimes.
"We are concerned that war crimes are being committed. We are concerned about the collective punishment of Gazans in response to the atrocious attacks by Hamas, which also amounted to war crimes," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a press conference in Geneva.
"Nowhere is safe in Gaza. Compelling people to evacuate in these circumstances... and while under a complete siege raises serious concerns over forcible transfer, which is a war crime," Shamdasani emphasized.
The UN Human Rights Office pointed to actions such as forcible transfer, collective punishment, and the taking of hostages as the conflict extended into its 21st day. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani stated that it would be up to an independent court of law to determine whether war crimes had occurred.
Israel conducted extensive bombings in Gaza after Hamas militants crossed the border on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and the abduction of over 220 others, according to Israeli officials.
Israel has already implemented restrictions on the supply of food, water, and power to Gaza. This includes the suspension of fuel deliveries, with the rationale being concerns that such supplies could be utilized by Hamas for the production of weapons and explosives.
In preparation for an anticipated ground offensive, Israel's military has advised residents in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, which constitutes nearly half of its 2.4 million population, to relocate to the southern areas.
The health ministry in Gaza, meanwhile, which is under Hamas control, reported that the airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 7,000 individuals, with a significant number being civilians, including many children. This has led to increased calls for the protection of innocent people affected by the conflict.
"Israel's use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas has caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and loss of civilian lives that, by all appearances, is difficult to reconcile with international humanitarian law," she explained.
“Collective punishment is a war crime. Israel's collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza must immediately cease."
Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, a war crime represents a significant infringement of international law, targeting both civilians and combatants in times of armed conflict, and a "grave breach" of peace policies. This laid down a legal framework for warfare subsequent to the Nuremberg trials of prominent Nazi leaders.
