UN Experts Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza

A group of independent United Nations experts has urgently called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, citing the imminent risk of genocide for Palestinians in the region. The experts, made up of seven UN special rapporteurs, expressed concern over the escalating violence in Gaza following four weeks of Israeli bombardment in retaliation for deadly attacks by Hamas gunmen. Health authorities in Gaza report that the Israeli strikes have resulted in over 9,000 deaths, the majority of which are women and children. Israel insists that its targets are Hamas militants and accuses the group of using civilians as human shields.

In response to the UN experts’ statement, the Israeli mission to the UN in Geneva criticized the comments, blaming Hamas for civilian casualties. The mission argued that Hamas initiated the conflict by carrying out a massacre on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,400 people and the kidnapping of 243 children and adults.

The experts’ statement highlights the International Criminal Court’s definition of genocide and its relevance to the situation in Gaza. However, a determination on whether genocide is occurring can only be made by a relevant UN judicial body, according to the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In a separate development, former senior UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber, in a letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, described the unfolding situation in Gaza as a genocide. Mokhiber’s views were characterized as personal and not reflective of the UN rights office, which stated that his planned retirement had taken effect.

The dire situation in Gaza has severely impacted the lives of its residents, who now face limited access to water, medicine, fuel, and essential supplies. Aid organizations warn that the current aid being provided does not meet the needs of the population. The UN experts have also called on Israel and its allies to agree to an immediate ceasefire, asserting that time is running out.

The situation in Gaza is dire and urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of its people. The international community must respond to the experts’ call for a humanitarian ceasefire and work towards a sustainable solution to the conflict.

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