ICSPR: The Crime of Targeting Humanitarian Workers in Deir Al-Balah Confirms Israel’s Disregard for International Humanitarian Law
Reference Number: 29 / 2025
Date: March 19, 2025
Press Release
ICSPR: The Crime of Targeting Humanitarian Workers in Deir Al-Balah Confirms Israel’s Disregard for International Humanitarian Law
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) strongly condemns and denounces the Israeli occupation army’s attack today, Wednesday, on the headquarters of UN humanitarian teams operating in the Gaza Strip, specifically the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Deir Al-Balah. The attack resulted in the killing of an international staff member of Ukrainian nationality and the serious injury of five other international staff members, who were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah for treatment.
It is worth noting that Israeli occupation forces had been informed by international organizations about the locations and coordinates of humanitarian workers and their offices, further proving Israel’s blatant disregard for the rules of international humanitarian law and the special protection guaranteed for humanitarian workers.
At the same time, the Israeli occupation forces continue their crimes against Palestinian civilians, now entering the second day of the resumed genocide, by targeting tents, shelter centers, and civilian homes, as well as bombing civilian vehicles, killing those inside. These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 450 civilians yesterday, including 170 children and 100 women, while another 60 civilians have been killed since this morning, with hundreds more injured. Tens of thousands of displaced people have also been forced to flee again due to artillery shelling, airstrikes, and forced evacuation orders for border areas and northern Gaza. Furthermore, occupation forces have reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor from Salah Al-Din Street, effectively severing the connection between northern and southern Gaza and preventing movement between the two regions.
The ICSPR affirms that Israel continues its crimes through aerial and ground bombardment, an ongoing siege, collective punishment, and the closure of crossings for the 18th consecutive day, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid. This has deepened the humanitarian catastrophe, bringing back famine, thirst, the spread of diseases and epidemics, a severe shortage of food, and skyrocketing prices. Additionally, essential public sectors, including healthcare, are on the verge of total collapse due to a lack of medical equipment, medicines, supplies, and healthcare workers, putting thousands of wounded and sick individuals at risk of death.
The International Commission (ICSPR) holds the Israeli occupation fully responsible for this heinous crime, which aims to worsen the humanitarian disaster, obstruct the efforts of international humanitarian organizations, and prevent them from fulfilling their missions. ICSPR expresses its solidarity with the victims and humanitarian workers at UNOPS and demands that Israel and its leaders be held accountable for this crime, along with the targeted killing of over 300 humanitarian workers since the beginning of the genocide.
The ICSPR calls on the international community, the United Nations, international and regional organizations, and all free people of the world to take immediate action to halt the Israeli aggression and genocide in Gaza, pressure Israel to fulfill its responsibilities as an occupying power, stop targeting civilians and humanitarian workers, and ensure the facilitation of humanitarian relief operations.
The ICSPR also demands immediate international action to open crossings and humanitarian corridors, evacuate thousands of wounded and sick individuals, and guarantee the flow of humanitarian aid, medical supplies, fuel, and essential goods for the people of Gaza.
