UN Accuses Israel of War Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza

On Thursday, the United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet accused Israel of committing “war crimes” in its latest offensive on Gaza.

In this regard, she said that Israel's deadly strikes on Gaza may constitute war crimes if they are shown to be disproportionate.

During a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council on the Palestinian issue, Bachelet said she had seen no clear evidence that civilian buildings in the Gaza strip hit by Israeli strikes were being used for military purposes.

Also in this regard, Bachelet urged Hamas leaders in Gaza to refrain from firing indiscriminate rockets on Israel.

For his part, Secretary-General António Guterres indicated there is evidence that Israel committed war crimes against humanity in Gaza, as the Israeli forces targeted people clearly identifiable as children, women, and journalists.

He also revealed that Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes, as well as possibly crimes against humanity, in their repeated launching of rockets and mortars into Israeli territory.

Renewed clashes between Hamas and Israeli forces erupted in the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with intense battles raging in the various regions in the Gaza strip and Israeli territory.

During the latest conflict, hospitals, clinics, and main sewage and water lines were damaged or destroyed.

According to domestic reports, Palastenian’s ministry of public works and housing said that 769 housing and commercial units were rendered uninhabitable, at least 1,042 units in 258 buildings were destroyed and just over 14,500 units suffered minor damage.