RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 16,370
- Reaction score
- 244
- Country
- Location
FROM UNRWA COMMISSIONER-GENERAL PHILIPPE LAZZARINI
21 October 2023The Gaza Strip: The protection of civilians an absolute, solemn obligation at all times
CAIRO/AMMAN,
“For the past two weeks, the war has continued, unabated.
“In the Gaza Strip, relentless air strikes and bombardments, coupled with evacuation orders issued by the Israeli Forces, have displaced nearly 1 million people and caused the death and injuries of far too many civilians.
“Half a million people are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities across the Gaza Strip. They have come to these UN facilities in search of safety, and protection. In Khan Younis and Rafah– in the south of the Gaza Strip- shelters have become overcrowded. Many have taken refuge in UNRWA buildings that were not set up to be shelters where the living conditions are just untenable.
“Civilians -wherever they are- must be protected. The life of all civilians, the integrity of all UN facilities and premises, as well as civilian infrastructures, including hospitals must be shielded from harm and protected at all times under international humanitarian law.
“I emphasise that since the war began on 7 October, UNRWA has been regularly providing the coordinates of all its facilities across the Gaza Strip to all relevant parties. Nevertheless, at least 35 UNRWA facilities have been impacted so far, some were directly hit.
“We are devastated to receive continuous reports of civilians killed in Gaza, including at UNRWA. To date, 17 of our colleagues have been confirmed killed in this vicious war. Very sadly, the actual numbers are likely to be higher. Some of our staff were killed with their families while sleeping in their beds at home.
“No words can describe the levels of condemnations of all atrocities and violations, everywhere. I - once again- recall the non-negotiable legal obligations incumbent on all parties to the conflict to protect the lives of civilians, wherever they are, at all times, and to refrain from attacks on civilian facilities, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, and civilians’ homes, including those of UNRWA staff. These are basic, moral imperatives of our collective humanity.
“Let me be clear: protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity.
“I echo the calls from the UN Secretary-General on all parties to reach an urgent humanitarian ceasefire. This is the only way out of this mayhem; any other way will plunge Gaza – and the world – deeper into fathomless, dark depths.
Source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/offi...unrwa-commissioner-general-philippe-lazzarini