Geneva, United Nations human rights experts have issued a strong appeal to the international community, urging an intensification of efforts to cease ongoing grave crimes and ensure adherence to international law in the Gaza strip. This call to action comes five months following the 7 October attacks by Hamas and other armed groups on Israel and the subsequent military retaliation by Israeli forces, which have led to continuing daily international crimes in Gaza.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN experts condemned the “systematic and widespread nature of the crimes committed on 7 October,” which include alleged sexual violence, hostage-taking, and other international law violations that could constitute crimes against humanity. They expressed particular concern over more than one hundred hostages, including children and elderly persons, still held by Hamas and other militant groups, highlighting this as potential enforced disappearances amounting to torture.
The experts criticized the Israeli armed forces for reportedly violating international humanitarian law principles, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, notably children, women, and the elderly. These actions could represent grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
While acknowledging previous calls by UN Special Procedures and the international community’s efforts, including the International Court of Justice’s order for provisional measures and ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court, the experts emphasized the urgent need for further action to halt further violence in Gaza.
They called for the international community’s immediate engagement to ensure compliance with international laws, including the unconditional release of all hostages and the full implementation of the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures. Additionally, they urged states to utilize all legal means under international law to investigate and prosecute those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity since 7 October 2023, offering their assistance in investigating these crimes.