UN Human Rights Office condemns IDF's strikes in Gaza humanitarian zones
The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned the Israel Defense Forces' use of weapons in populated areas of Gaza, including humanitarian zones, hours after an attack killed 90 Palestinians.
"The latest attack and casualty followed right after another massive attack on the north, which lasted for a week, resulting in further destruction and casualties," the UN Human Rights Office said in a statement.
The U.N. said the IDF's use of weapons in densely populated areas "despite the overwhelming evidence that these means and methods have led to disproportionate harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure, suggests a pattern of willful violation of the disregard of [International Humanitarian Law] principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution."
"The use of such weapons in an area to which IDF is ordering people to evacuate demonstrates a rampant disregard for the safety of civilians. Even if Palestinian armed group members were using the presence of civilians in these areas in an attempt to shield themselves from attack, which would violate IHL, this would not remove IDF's obligations to comply with these fundamental IHL principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution," the U.N. said.
