Geneva, United Nations human rights experts have issued an urgent appeal to Member States to use their influence and available measures to promote an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This call comes ahead of a pivotal Security Council vote in New York today, aimed at averting a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the region.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the experts stressed the necessity for Member States to act collectively at the Security Council or the General Assembly to prevent the total destruction of Gaza and mass mortality. This action is crucial to uphold the United Nations’ foundational purpose.
The statement welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ letter to the UN Security Council, invoking Article 99 of the United Nations Charter. Guterres urged the Council to take swift action to prevent a complete breakdown of public order and the humanitarian system in Gaza.
The experts expressed full support for Secretary-General Guterres in his leadership role to end the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where UN humanitarian agencies have described the situation as ‘apocalyptic.’
The recent collapse of a temporary humanitarian ceasefire and the resumption of large-scale military operations by Israel on December 1 have exacerbated the crisis. The experts reported that over 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in the past week, raising the total fatalities to over 17,000 since the start of hostilities, with women and children comprising seventy percent of the casualties. They noted that 85 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and actions of this scale could constitute the forcible transfer of a population, a potential crime against humanity.
The experts criticized the Israeli military’s bombardment, highlighting that it has not spared hospitals, schools, refugee camps, residential buildings, markets, and religious establishments, where civilians should be safe. They raised concerns about dwindling humanitarian aid, shortages of basic supplies, and severe movement restrictions, suggesting these actions could amount to collective punishment, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
The statement emphasized that a ceasefire is critical for stabilizing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The experts called for consultations towards the deployment of an international protective presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory under UN supervision and stressed the inclusion of Palestinian civil society in decision-making processes.
The experts urged UN Member States to take decisive action to end the suffering in Gaza and restore international peace and security, warning against reaching a point of no return. They reiterated their recommendations, including ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, protecting civilians from gender-based violence, opening humanitarian corridors, and addressing the root causes of the conflict.