Geneva – Saba:
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jeremy Laurence expressed "deep concern" on Friday over the killing of aid workers in "Israeli" attacks on the Gaza Strip, including five from the International Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).
In a written response to a question from Anadolu Agency, Laurence said: "Our office is deeply concerned about the continuing killing of humanitarian workers, the latest of which was the killing of five members of the International Humanitarian Relief Foundation."
He added: "These crimes occurred at a time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was worsening, and most Palestinians were in need of food assistance."
Laurence continued: "Humanitarian workers enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law, and their deliberate targeting may constitute a war crime."
He added: "Israel", as an occupying power, must ensure and facilitate the access of essential goods and services to Gaza."
Two days ago, the International Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) announced the deaths of five of its members working on a project implemented with the World Food Programme in Gaza, as a result of Israeli attacks.
With American and European support, the Israeli enemy army has been committing genocidal crimes in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 54,321 civilians, the majority of whom are children and women, and the injury of 123,770 others, as of Friday.
This is a preliminary toll, with thousands of victims still buried under the rubble and on the streets, unable to be reached by ambulance and rescue crews.
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