Israel may have been guilty of war crimes with its recent airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet said. She says she has seen no evidence that the targeted buildings were used for military purposes.
Bachelet expressed concerns about the recent escalations in the Gaza Strip and Israel at the UN Human Rights Council session. Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, and Israel carried out air attacks against each other for a week and a half until a ceasefire was agreed on May 21.
According to Bachelet, the Israeli attacks may have been war crimes if it turns out that no distinction was made between the other warring party and civilians, and the airstrikes had an inordinate impact on civilians and their property.
According to the Commissioner, there have been many civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, and extensive damage has also occurred to homes, health institutions, and media offices. “Despite Israel’s claims that these buildings contained armed groups or that the buildings were used for military purposes, we have not yet seen any evidence.”
Bachelet points out that Israelis have the right to defend themselves but also stresses that the Palestinians have the same rights. The commissioner also criticized Hamas and other militant groups for firing rockets at random.
The 11-day attacks particularly affected the residents of the Gaza Strip, where the damage is greatest. An estimated 74,000 people have been displaced. According to local authorities, 253 deaths, including 66 children, have been caused by the actions of the Israeli forces. Twelve deaths have been reported in Israel. Among those victims are two minors.
The escalation between the Gaza Strip and Israel took place after a period of rising tensions in Jerusalem. Hamas fired the first rocket attacks following clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in protests against the threat of expulsion of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem. Israel responded to its neighbourhood with severe and, it says, “deterrent” attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip.
