UN rights expert says Israel's 'self-defense' claim in Gaza 'untenable', urges accountability

A top UN rights expert has expressed alarm at the impact of Israel's attack on Gaza for civilians, concluding that "Israel's claim of self-defense against an occupied population living under a blockade considered to be illegal under international law is untenable."

Makarim Wibisono, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, spoke Monday at the end of his first mission to the region.

In a press release, Wibisono stated that the Israeli military killed almost 1,500 civilians, including more than 500 children, with "a staggering 11,231 Palestinian civilians, including 3,436 children" injured and many "now struggling with life-long disabilities".

Tens of thousands of children live with the trauma of having witnessed the horrific killings of family members, friends, and neighbours before their own eyes.

Wibisono, echoing similar and even stronger conclusions by the likes of Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross, said that "this raises serious questions about possible violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law."

Wibisono related three demands from Palestinians: "the need for accountability, an end to the blockade, and an end to the occupation". Affirming this call, the UN official said that "those responsible for violations of international law must be brought to justice in order to avoid yet another round of deadly violence in the near future".

The Special Rapporteur had a special focus on children in Gaza, noting that "there wasn't a single child...who has not been adversely affected". Wibisono pointed to an estimated 7,000 unexploded ordinances "littered across" the territory, and described how over "50 days of relentless bombing and shelling", some 228 schools were damaged, including 26 destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

According to Wibisono, around 60,000 Palestinians remain in 19 shelters in the Gaza Strip, while medical professionals report a "critical shortage" of medicines and equipment. "Israel must immediately lift the seven year land, sea and air blockade of Gaza", Wibisono urged, "and urgently allow needed materials for reconstruction and recovery."

The Special Rapporteur also spoke to the "excessive use of force" used by Israeli forces in the Occupied West Bank over the summer, "noting that during the period from 12 June to 31 August 2014, a total of 27 Palestinians were killed, of whom five were children, with the youngest victim only 11 years-old." Wibisono stressed that "the use of live ammunition against Palestinians even if they were throwing stones, is unjustifiable."

The Special Rapporteur will report fully on his findings and recommendations to the 28th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2015.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/14441-un-rights-expert-says-israels-self-defense-claim-in-gaza-untenable-urges-accountability