The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed horror at the escalating pattern of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) strikes on schools in Gaza, which have killed at least 163 internally displaced Palestinians, including children and women, in the past month. According to the office at least 17 schools have been hit, raising serious concerns about compliance with principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including distinction, proportionality and precaution. OHCHR also pointed to an escalation in such attacks. Since last Monday, at least seven schools have been targeted – all reportedly serving as shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), while one was also serving as a field hospital.
The Israeli military claims that five of the schools were being used by “Hamas operatives”. OHCHR emphasized that if this were the case, the use of civilians by armed groups to shield military objectives is also a major violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). “[However,] it does not negate Israel’s obligation to comply strictly with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution when carrying out military operations,” the office said. “Israel, as the occupying power, is also obliged to provide the evacuated populations with basic humanitarian needs, including safe shelter.”
A person carries water through the streets in a West Bank town. The situation there is gradually worsening. © UNRWA A person carries water through the streets in a West Bank town. The situation there is gradually worsening. OHCHR also voiced deep concern over the continuing use of lethal force by Israeli security forces (ISF) in the West Bank, amid reports that nine Palestinians were killed on 3 August, including five that “appeared to have been planned extra-judicial executions.”
ISF claimed that five of those killed were on their way to carry out a “terrorist attack”. On the same day, four Palestinian armed men engaged in a firefight with ISF and were killed in an Israeli air strike. OHCHR also noted that on 4 August, a Palestinian man from Salfit in the occupied West Bank, reportedly stabbed and killed two Israelis and injured two others in Holon, Tel Aviv, after irregularly crossing into Israel. ISF reportedly shot and killed the assailant.
Source: The UN
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