The International Commission Hashd Calls for Immediate International and Arab Intervention to Save the Residents of Northern Gaza from Brutal Acts of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Siege, and Forced Displacement
Date: October 14, 2024
Urgent Statement and Appeal
The International Commission “Hashd” Calls for Immediate International and Arab Intervention to Save the Residents of Northern Gaza from Brutal Acts of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Siege, and Forced Displacement
The International Commission to Support Palestinian People’s Rights “Hashd” strongly condemns the ongoing acts of killing, ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, starvation, and siege in northern Gaza, which have persisted for ten consecutive days. These actions are concentrated in the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia camp and town. On October 6, the Israeli army announced a military operation in northern Gaza, marking the third ground offensive since the beginning of the war. The Israeli forces ordered the forced evacuation of all residents from northern Gaza, accompanied by continuous artillery shelling, airstrikes, and the destruction of residential areas through bombings, explosive devices, and the use of explosive robots. Shelters and civilian homes have been targeted indiscriminately and systematically, without prior warning, while a tight blockade was imposed, preventing the entry of humanitarian aid and isolating northern areas from Gaza City.
The fierce military attacks and brutal airstrikes on the civilian population of northern Gaza have escalated to the most violent levels since the beginning of the war. Israeli military and political officials have publicly declared their intention to implement a plan to besiege, displace, and depopulate northern Gaza. Israeli forces have employed various internationally prohibited weapons, engaging in brutal acts of massacres, starvation, attacks on healthcare facilities, and the leveling of buildings. These crimes have led to the deaths of over 300 people, with hundreds more injured, most of whom are women and children. Around 100 bodies remain on the ground as Israeli forces prevent ambulance crews and civil defense teams from retrieving them. Additionally, drones have been used to target anything that moves, including forcibly displaced people trying to reach Gaza City.
The International Commission “Hashd”: warns that over 200,000 residents are at risk of death, either by Israeli bombardment or starvation and dehydration, due to the ongoing and tightened blockade, which has been coupled with the expansion of the military attack on northern Gaza. Among the brutal measures imposed by Israeli forces is the prevention of the entry of food, medicine, water, and fuel necessary to keep hospitals running. The remaining hospitals in northern Gaza (Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and the Indonesian hospital) are surrounded, with evacuation orders issued for patients, medical staff, and wounded civilians. This effectively halts all medical services, endangering the lives of the wounded and sick due to the lack of facilities, medical services, and the halt of ambulance and civil defense vehicles. Furthermore, the sole functioning bakery in northern Gaza, Al-Shalfouh, has been targeted, and the destruction of the remaining water wells and service facilities has rendered northern Gaza a burned and uninhabitable area.
The International Commission “Hashd”: strongly condemns the ongoing massacres against civilians, notably the deliberate bombing of a children’s playground in Al-Shati camp on October 13, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of five children playing football and injuries to others. On the same day, Israeli forces bombed the Mufti school for displaced people in Nuseirat camp, killing 22 people, including 15 children and women, and injuring 80 others. Early this morning, Israeli warplanes targeted tents for displaced people at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, resulting in three fatalities and 40 injuries. Additionally, this morning, artillery fire targeted a relief distribution center in Jabalia camp, leading to the deaths of 10 civilians and injuring dozens. These brutal massacres continue across Gaza, with dozens of families killed as their homes were bombed without warning, a consistent pattern of ongoing genocide for 374 consecutive days.
The International Commission “Hashd”: asserts that the actions of the occupying forces represent the most horrific form of genocide, ongoing for more than a year, and constitute severe and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, the Hague Convention, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and other human rights standards. These actions blatantly violate the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and the General Assembly, as well as the measures of the International Court of Justice.
The International Commission “Hashd”: condemns the American support and partnership with the Israeli occupation in committing the most heinous acts of genocide in human history. It also denounces the continued double standards and the international community’s silence and inability to stop Israeli acts of genocide. The Commission calls on the international community, countries, and free people worldwide to act on all levels to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression, which has lasted over a year. It urges for immediate humanitarian intervention and the use of coercive measures to stop the acts of genocide, massacres, ethnic cleansing, siege, and collective punishment, to save the residents of Gaza, prevent forced displacement, stop the depopulation of northern Gaza, and alleviate the suffering and catastrophe experienced by civilians.
The International Commission “Hashd”: calls for the enforcement of the measures of the International Court of Justice and United Nations resolutions, ensuring respect for international humanitarian law, opening humanitarian corridors, and providing relief aid, fuel, and medical supplies to northern Gaza. It also demands international protection for civilians, the boycott of the Israeli occupation, the imposition of sanctions, and the prosecution of its leaders and soldiers before international courts.
The International Commission “Hashd”: calls on the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions and the people of the world to fulfill their moral, legal, and humanitarian obligations, escalate solidarity activities, and mobilize popular actions to stop the Israeli aggression. This appeal aims to urge international organizations and governments to continue to pressure for the protection of civilians from genocide and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid.
In conclusion, the International Commission “Hashd” appeals to you and urges you to adopt this call in your name and the name of your organizations and to act urgently with us today. Tomorrow may be too late.
End
