The statement of ICHR during the press conference it organized today in Khan Yunis on the Israeli genocide crime in Gaza
Dear media representatives,
I extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, and I appreciate your participation in this press conference to address the serious and concerning developments that have recently occurred in the Gaza Strip.
We are witnessing an escalation in the Israeli aggression and war on the Gaza Strip, which is currently more intense and dangerous than before the recent truce.
We have observed that the occupation army's approach has not changed from what it was before the ceasefire, whether in terms of the intensity of the bombardment or the direct targeting of civilians and civilian targets
In light of the significant number of casualties, surpassing sixteen thousand, predominantly comprising children and women, and with thousands still missing beneath the rubble of homes demolished by the occupation forces, along with a substantial count of wounded, exceeding thirty thousand, and the staggering increase in the number of displaced individuals, now surpassing 1.8 million citizens, equating to more than eighty percent of the population.
These dire circumstances are compounded by severe humanitarian conditions characterized by electricity shortages, a critical scarcity of drinking and daily-use water, and shortages of medicines and essential food items, all of which pose a grave threat of disease outbreaks and epidemics.
We strongly warn against the ongoing genocide, particularly in light of the deteriorating circumstances inflicted upon Gaza's inhabitants by Israeli measures and the blockade. If these conditions persist, it is inevitable that a substantial number of citizens, particularly the vulnerable, such as the sick and elderly, will face death.
Additionally, there are thousands of Palestinians suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart conditions, kidney issues, and other critical injuries, facing the imminent danger of death due to the collapse of the healthcare system
The current situation unfolding in Gaza can only be described as an ongoing genocide. Those who are not killed by the bombardment are facing the constant threat of death due to malnutrition, hunger, thirst, illness, the spread of epidemics, and the absence of adequate healthcare services.
I must emphasize the dire plight of the displaced individuals, particularly those housed in shelters, with a special focus on Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip. Their living conditions, along with the assistance they receive, fall tragically short of meeting even their most basic needs, let alone preserving their human dignity. Women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are enduring particularly acute hardships.
We at ICHR, despite all our colleagues being displaced and, like our people, having suffered the loss of homes and loved ones. We remain committed to our duty of documenting Israeli war crimes. This commitment is in close cooperation with our colleagues in the West Bank. We are diligently monitoring the humanitarian situation, particularly within the shelter centers. Our ongoing efforts include reaching out to relevant international and UN entities, urging them to take action to stop the aggression, prevent further atrocities, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and ensure accountability for the Israeli war criminals responsible for their actions against innocent civilians.
1. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, for which the Human Rights Council is convening a special session to commemorate this upcoming Monday, we call upon the Human Rights Council and the states parties to this convention to take all possible measures to prevent the ongoing genocide in Gaza. We also urge the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to fulfill her role and the mandate entrusted to her by issuing a warning about the genocide and preventing it in Gaza. To date, there has been no warning of genocide issued, contrary to her responsibilities.
2. We call on the United Nations and all international organizations to fulfill their humanitarian and moral duty by immediately stopping the genocide and breaking the silence and timid positions that serve as cover for aggression and genocide. Such positions only contribute to the frustration of the Palestinian community, which perceives these organizations as incapable of protecting civilians.
3. Ensuring effective protection for civilians requires an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities. Any discussion of civilian protection in the context of ongoing aggression provides cover for the occupier to continue massacres and killings.
4. We warn that any further displacement operation poses a significant risk to the displaced individuals and exacerbates the suffering of all residents. It pushes them towards displacement towards Egypt. We call on the countries and parties that have taken significant positions against displacement to confront any measures that make life impossible in Gaza, to prevent any future displacement, and to work towards the return of displaced individuals to their homes in Gaza and the north while lifting all restrictions on the movement of citizens.
5. We call for concerted efforts to immediately and fully open the crossings to allow the entry of all aid and goods, enhancing the resilience of citizens, preventing widespread fatalities, and allowing the entry of commercial goods in addition to humanitarian supplies, without any conditions or restrictions. The private sector should also be allowed to resume its import activities so that those who are able among the citizens can purchase their necessities from the market, ensuring that all residents of the Gaza Strip are not solely dependent on humanitarian assistance.
6. We urge the protection of medical teams and institutions, the enhancement of civil defense capabilities, and the immediate provision of necessary rescue equipment. This will prevent further casualties. Based on our observations, a significant number of individuals have fallen due to the limited capabilities of civil defense. There are thousands of cases that could have been saved if the necessary equipment and resources were available.
7. We call upon the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to visit the Gaza Strip, meet with the victims and their families, and assess the consequences of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. We urge the immediate issuance of arrest warrants for the Israeli war criminals, including the Prime Minister of the occupying state, the Defense Minister, and the leaders of the occupation's army. We express deep concern regarding the professionalism and independence of the Chief Prosecutor, who has neglected the Palestinian case for years and has made biased statements
8. We call upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit all Palestinian detainees and prisoners, especially those who were arrested by the Israeli occupation forces from within the Gaza Strip. We urge them to disclose their fate and reassure their families, as we are deeply concerned about their fate in light of the absence of any information about them.
9. and lastly, we also call on all international organizations to enhance their efforts and services in Gaza City and northern Gaza Strip, ensuring the sustainability of aid provided to the citizens.
