UN condemns Israeli assault on Gaza as unconscionable

The United Nations Human Rights Chief has firmly condemned Israeli assaults on Gaza, describing the devastation as “unconscionable,” Middle East Eye reported on June 16th.

Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council that Israel’s methods of warfare have caused horrifying suffering for Palestinians. He accused Israel of deliberately blocking humanitarian aid and using starvation as a weapon.

Turk urged for immediate, unbiased investigations into attacks on civilians seeking food. He also raised the alarm over “dehumanising” statements by senior Israeli officials, arguing they have disturbing and dangerous implications.

Amid the aid crisis in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on June 12th, and Maghrebi cited that Israeli attacks killed at least 42 Palestinians. Among them, at least 24 died while waiting for aid. The attacks took place early in the morning of June 12th.

In related developments, the Israeli military announced the arrest of several Hamas members in Beit Jinn, Syria. Consequently, internet and communication services were also shut down in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation accused Hamas of attacking a bus carrying aid workers, which killed five people.

Additionally, according to the Middle East Eye on May 28th, the United Nations and humanitarian organisations condemned the deaths of three Palestinians and the injuries sustained by dozens more after Israeli gunfire caused devastation at an aid distribution hub.

Chaotic scenes unfolded in Rafah as starving residents entered the aid facility following long security check delays. The UN called for independent, impartial aid delivery and a major scale-up of relief operations.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the distressing scenes emerging from Gaza as truly heartbreaking, and emphasised the devastating impact on civilians and the urgent need for safe, large-scale humanitarian aid delivery.

Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye