The International Commission (ICSPR) Issues an Urgent Appeal Regarding Genocidal Crimes Committed by the Occupation Forces in Northern Gaza for the 44th Consecutive Day

Date: November 17, 2024
Original Language: Arabic

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The International Commission (ICSPR) Issues an Urgent Appeal Regarding Genocidal Crimes Committed by the Occupation Forces in Northern Gaza for the 44th Consecutive Day

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces continue their ground invasion, tight siege, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and forced displacement against the residents of Northern Gaza for the 44th consecutive day. These atrocities include killing civilians, terrorizing them, expelling them from their homes, and forcing them to flee. To date, over 70 massacres have been committed, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,500 people, injuries to 6,000 others, hundreds missing, and tens of thousands displaced, now homeless and deprived of basic necessities for survival.

The ICSPR has documented dozens of deliberate killings and summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against numerous civilians in Northern Gaza. These crimes include bombing homes late at night, fully aware that dozens of civilians—primarily women and children—were inside. In the past hours alone, four massacres have been committed, claiming over 90 lives in Beit Lahiya’s housing project, affecting families such as Abdel-Atti, Ghabein, Ghoneim, Talouli, and Safi. The occupation forces have also persistently targeted schools and shelters housing hundreds of displaced individuals, destroying 42 shelter facilities. The latest incidents include the storming of three shelters in Beit Hanoun, forcibly expelling the displaced and burning the aid inside. Additionally, an UNRWA school in Al-Shati Camp, Abu Asi School, was targeted, resulting in 10 fatalities and around 20 injuries. Many victims remain buried under rubble, and emergency teams are unable to retrieve them as the occupation forcibly blocks humanitarian efforts in Northern Gaza for the 26th day.

This urgent appeal has been directed to the UN Secretary-General, the UN Special Envoy, the President of the Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the UN Fact-Finding Commission, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the European Union, the African Union, the Union of Latin American Nations, the Russian Federation, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The ICSPR commends efforts to ensure a dignified life for all humanity in alignment with international human rights charters and conventions. These efforts must extend to Palestinian civilians, particularly those in Gaza, who look to the international community for actions to “deter Israel,” halt these violations, and ensure accountability for perpetrators. Palestinians’ faith in international law hinges on such efforts.

The ICSPR highlighted that for 408 consecutive days, Israeli occupation forces have waged a war of aggression marked by genocidal crimes against civilians, resulting in approximately 43,799 fatalities (4% of the population), over 103,601 injuries, the detention of 7,000 individuals, and the destruction of 86% of homes and civilian facilities. The Israeli forces continue to bombard residential areas, shelters, and displacement camps indiscriminately and without warning.

The ICSPR emphasized the systematic siege of Northern Gaza, preventing humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and fuel for the 53rd day. The attacks focus on civilian gatherings, shelters, and hospitals, further escalating the humanitarian catastrophe. Forced displacements have affected over 150,000 residents, who face humiliation and violence at checkpoints, with many being targeted by drones during their flight. This underscores the ongoing genocidal and ethnic cleansing policies, flagrantly violating international human rights standards and humanitarian law.

The ICSPR condemned the destruction of key hospitals in Northern Gaza, including the Indonesian Hospital, rendered out of service after being burned and destroyed. The lack of medical supplies and fuel at Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals threatens the lives of patients and the injured, as Israeli forces block humanitarian aid. More than 70,000 residents in Northern Gaza remain trapped under dire conditions of starvation and dehydration, with lives hanging in the balance.

The ICSPR holds the Israeli occupation, the U.S. administration, and occupation-supporting states fully responsible for the ongoing genocidal war and ethnic cleansing of civilians in Gaza. These acts blatantly violate the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Hague Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and other international human rights instruments. The ongoing crimes, including collective punishment, contravene Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The ICSPR strongly condemns the glaring international failure to act decisively against these war crimes for 14 consecutive months. This inaction emboldens Israel to continue its violations. The ICSPR calls on the international community, organizations, and states to fulfill their ethical and legal responsibilities by activating all mechanisms to protect human rights, ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid, and hold Israeli leaders accountable to prevent impunity.

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