UN experts called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza today, stating that the Palestinian people there are at "serious risk of genocide." Health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory report that ongoing Israeli bombing over the past four weeks has resulted in the deaths of more than 9,000 people, most of whom are women and children. This bombing followed an attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7.
The experts, including several special rapporteurs from the international organization, stated in a statement, "We are convinced that the Palestinian people are at serious risk of genocide." They added, "We demand a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure aid reaches those in greatest need."
The Israeli envoy to the UN in Geneva described the comments as "completely unacceptable and extremely concerning," placing blame for civilian casualties on Hamas. The International Criminal Court defines genocide as the intentional action to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group by killing its members or through other means, including measures aimed at preventing births or forcibly transferring children from one group to another.
Craig Michie, a senior official in the UN Human Rights Commission who has recently left his position, wrote in a letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on October 28 saying, "We see genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the organization we serve seems incapable of stopping it." The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that Michie's anticipated retirement took effect this week and that his views are "personal" and do not reflect those of the office.
One signatory of the experts' statement remarked after its release that the people of Gaza have been deprived of "the most essential elements of living," in an interview with Reuters. Special Rapporteur on the human right to clean drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, said, "We use the term the risk of genocide because the ongoing process does not discriminate at all and harms, in this case, more than two million people." He added, "In this respect, I believe we are facing a risk of genocide, in a concrete manner."
The entry of relief supplies into Gaza has faced obstacles since Israel began the bombardment of the densely populated territory, with relief organizations stating they are far from meeting the needs of individuals there.
The UN experts stated, "The situation in Gaza has reached a breaking point that warns of disaster," adding that the residents of Gaza are left with only a meager supply of water, medicine, fuel, and basic supplies amidst health risks. They also noted Israel's allies whom they said "bear responsibility (for what is happening) and must act now to prevent its disastrous consequences." They continued, "We demand that Israel and its allies agree to an immediate ceasefire." They added, "Time is running out for us."
