NEW YORK November 20. 2023 (Saba) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said that “the horrific events that took place during the past 48 hours in Gaza are unbelievable,” stressing that the Zionist aggression against Gaza must be stopped immediately.
Türk said in a press statement “The killing of such a large number of people in schools that were turned into shelters, and hundreds of people fleeing for their lives from al-Shifa Hospital, amid the continued displacement of hundreds of thousands in southern Gaza, are actions that contradict basic protection measures,” which must be provided to civilians under the international law.”
He added the pictures taken in the wake of the Zionist raid on al-Fakhoura School “are horrific, and clearly show large numbers of women, children and men who were seriously injured or killed.”
Türk pointed out that at least three other schools hosting displaced Palestinians were attacked during the past 48 hours.
He continued “Zionist military operations are still continuing inside and around al-Shifa Hospital,” referring to a visit by United Nations colleagues to the site .., and they saw with their own eyes what they described as the “death zone.”
Türk explained that the occupation army forced medical workers to leave the hospital, as hundreds were seen making their way south on foot, exposing their lives, health and safety to great danger. Türk asked, “Where to? There is no safe place in Gaza.”
He said "Displaced Palestinians - already disadvantaged by severe restrictions on life-saving aid - are struggling to meet their basic needs, and are forced to live in ever-shrinking, overcrowded, unhealthy and unsafe spaces."
Türk stressed that the Zionist enemy entity is obligated to protect civilians wherever they are, stressing the necessity of “strict adherence to the rules of international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions when carrying out attacks.”
He added "Failure to adhere to these rules constitutes war crimes."
Türk continued: "The pain, terror and fear etched on the faces of children, women and men is too much to bear."
He stressed that “this must stop,” that “humanity must come first,” and that there is “an urgent need for a ceasefire for humanitarian and human rights reasons, now.”
H.H
resource : Saba
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