UN Committee accuses Israel of ‘Deliberately Targeting’ Health Facilities in Gaza
An independent United Nations investigative committee accused Israel on Thursday of deliberately targeting health facilities and killing and torturing medical personnel in Gaza. The committee labeled these actions as “crimes against humanity.”
Navi Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and chair of the independent inquiry stated that Israel has conducted “relentless and deliberate attacks” on medical staff and facilities during the Gaza conflict.
The statement highlighted that children are bearing the brunt of these attacks, suffering both directly and indirectly from the collapse of the health system.
The UN Human Rights Council established the three-member committee in May 2021 to investigate potential violations of international law in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The committee is set to present its second report to the UN General Assembly at the end of October.
In its statement, the inquiry committee also accused Israeli forces of deliberately killing and torturing medical personnel, targeting ambulances, and restricting patients’ exit from the Gaza Strip. An example cited was that of a Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who lost her life in February along with family members and two doctors trying to rescue her from Israeli fire.
The ongoing conflict and its impact on health services in Gaza underscore the urgent need for accountability and protection of medical personnel in conflict zones. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international bodies must address these violations and work toward safeguarding the rights and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
The post UN Committee accuses Israel of ‘Deliberately Targeting’ Health Facilities in Gaza appeared first on Khaama Press.