Geneva – SABA:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned on Tuesday that the expansion of Israeli military operations in central Gaza—specifically in the southwestern areas of Deir al-Balah—significantly increases the risk of serious violations of international law, including unlawful killings and forcible transfer of civilians.
In a formal statement, Türk said:
“Israel continues to strangle the remaining areas of the Gaza Strip through systematic strikes targeting civilians and vital humanitarian infrastructure.”
He added that the ongoing airstrikes and ground operations “will inevitably lead to more civilian deaths and the destruction of homes, medical facilities, shelters, and community infrastructure.”
Türk highlighted that civilians, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times in recent months, “are once again being forced to flee from entirely evacuated areas to extremely limited geographical zones where hundreds of thousands are packed into unlivable conditions.”
He stressed that Israeli strikes have hit areas containing humanitarian organizations, clinics, community kitchens, and food warehouses—making aid delivery nearly impossible. “It seemed the nightmare could not get worse,” he said, “but it has.”
The High Commissioner also warned that the ongoing and repeated displacement of people living under occupation constitutes illegal forcible transfer and, in some cases, amounts to war crimes or even crimes against humanity.
His statement came two days after the Israeli military announced the expansion of its ground offensive into the southwestern region of Deir al-Balah. Prior to the assault, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of civilians.
Supported by the United States and Europe, the Israeli military has, since October 7, 2023, been committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. According to the latest, non-final figures, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of 59,106 Palestinian civilians, most of them women and children, and 142,511 injuries. Thousands more victims remain under rubble or in areas that rescue teams cannot access due to the relentless bombardment.