The United Nations strongly condemns the distressing reports of innocent civilians being killed by a military strike while attempting to flee to southern Gaza.
In a news briefing held on Tuesday, the Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani called on Israeli forces to refrain from targeting civilians or conducting area bombardments, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. The agency also emphasized the importance of Israeli forces taking precautions to minimize the loss of civilian life, injury, and damage to civilian objects.
Shamdasani stressed the urgency of conducting independent and thorough investigations into the reports of civilians being struck and killed by explosive weapons as they sought refuge in southern Gaza. She called for all serious alleged violations of international humanitarian law to be investigated as well.
Last Friday, Israel ordered the evacuation of approximately one million residents of the northern Gaza Strip in anticipation of a ground invasion. This move alarmed the United Nations and other humanitarian groups. While Israel has conducted targeted raids in Gaza, a full-scale invasion has not yet taken place.
Shamdasani highlighted the dire conditions faced by Gaza civilians who managed to flee to the south. These individuals are lacking basic necessities such as shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, and medicine.
The spokesperson echoed the UN’s call for a humanitarian pause in order to facilitate aid delivery and alleviate further suffering and loss of life among the beleaguered civilian population of Gaza. Shamdasani emphasized the immediate need for unimpeded humanitarian access.
Gaza is governed by Hamas, a militant group that launched a deadly attack against Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of over 1,400 people during an assault on a music festival and border villages. In the past week, retaliatory air strikes by Israel have caused additional Palestinian casualties, including hundreds of civilians, according to officials in Gaza.
President Biden is scheduled to travel to Israel on Wednesday. During his visit, he plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm US support for Israel and discuss the issue of hostages held by Hamas, civilian casualties, and the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Following his meeting with Netanyahu, Biden will travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The discussions will primarily focus on the humanitarian situation and reiterate the US belief that Hamas does not represent the majority of the Palestinian people.
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