Geneva: United Nations (UN) High Commisssioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Thursday for a genuine and inclusive peace process to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and a repeat of recent deadly clashes that have been marked by possible war crimes by Israeli security forces.
In comments to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Bachelet condemned indiscriminate rocket attacks by Gaza’s de facto authority Hamas, which claimed 10 lives in Israel, and strikes inside the enclave by Israeli Security Forces that left 242 dead.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights also welcomed the 21 May ceasefire but warned that it was only a matter of time until the next flare-up, unless the root causes of this latest escalation were addressed.
"There is no doubt that Israel has the right to defend its citizens and residents. However, Palestinians have rights too. The same rights," she stated.
According to her, Israeli air strikes in densely populated areas in Gaza resulted in a high level of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well as the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Such strikes raise serious concerns of Israel’s compliance with the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law.
If found to be indiscriminate and disproportionate in their impact on civilians and civilian objects, such attacks may constitute war crimes.
On the other hand, the heavy rocket barrage towards Israel by Hamas and other armed groups constituted a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Over the 11 days up to the ceasefire, a number of these rockets killed and injured civilians and caused significant damage to civilian objects, such as public facilities, houses, factories and other civilian structures.
"The actions of one party do not absolve the other from its obligations under international law," she stated.
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