Israel seeking to justify what would amount to 'ethnic cleansing': UN expert
UN, member states must intensify efforts to mediate cease-fire before 'a point of no return' reached, says Francesca Albanese
Beyza Binnur Donmez |14.10.2023 -
GENEVA
A UN expert on Saturday warned that Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to "ethnic cleansing" in the name of self-defense.
"The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch," said Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.
"The United Nations and its Member States must intensify efforts to mediate an immediate cease-fire between the parties before we reach a point of no return," Albanese said.
She further said that there is a "grave danger" that what the world is witnessing might be "a repeat of the 1948 Nakba, and the 1967 Naksa, yet on a larger scale."
The international community must do everything to stop this from happening again, she urged.
"Israel has already carried out mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians under the fog of war," the rapporteur said. "Again, in the name of self-defense, Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to ethnic cleansing."
Albanese stressed that any continued military operation by Israel "have gone well beyond the limits of international law."
"Palestinians and Israelis both deserve to live in peace, equality of rights, dignity and freedom," she said.
The Israeli army on Friday ordered all residents of northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and head to the south, despite warnings that this would lead to an international humanitarian disaster.
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, a week ago Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.
The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.
UN, member states must intensify efforts to mediate cease-fire before 'a point of no return' reached, says Francesca Albanese
Beyza Binnur Donmez |14.10.2023 -
GENEVA
A UN expert on Saturday warned that Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to "ethnic cleansing" in the name of self-defense.
"The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch," said Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.
"The United Nations and its Member States must intensify efforts to mediate an immediate cease-fire between the parties before we reach a point of no return," Albanese said.
She further said that there is a "grave danger" that what the world is witnessing might be "a repeat of the 1948 Nakba, and the 1967 Naksa, yet on a larger scale."
The international community must do everything to stop this from happening again, she urged.
"Israel has already carried out mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians under the fog of war," the rapporteur said. "Again, in the name of self-defense, Israel is seeking to justify what would amount to ethnic cleansing."
Albanese stressed that any continued military operation by Israel "have gone well beyond the limits of international law."
"Palestinians and Israelis both deserve to live in peace, equality of rights, dignity and freedom," she said.
The Israeli army on Friday ordered all residents of northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and head to the south, despite warnings that this would lead to an international humanitarian disaster.
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, a week ago Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.
The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.
Israel-Palestine conflict will only be resolved when 2 states are recognized, says Spanish prime minister
Beyza Binnur Donmez
15.10.2023
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon
GENEVA
The international law "does not endorse" the evacuation of Gaza as ordered by Israel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday.
"We defend Israel's right to defend itself, but always within international humanitarian law, which does not endorse the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza," Sanchez told a socialist rally in Merida.
He said the conflict, "which has generated so much suffering, will only be resolved when the two states, Israel and Palestine, are recognized so that they can coexist in peace."
Spain's foreign minister also voiced concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying he is "alarmed" by the ongoing events.
"It is urgent to protect the civilian population, allow access to aid and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the release of hostages," Jose Manuel Albares said on X.
"We are ready to increase Spanish aid after initial support of €1M ($1.05 million) to UN," Albares added.
Meanwhile, thousands took to the streets in Barcelona on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinian people amid intensifying violence.
The crowd carrying Palestinian flags chanted slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and criticized Israel.
The messages on placards included "Free Palestine," "It's not a war, it's genecoide," and "Long live Palestinian resistance!"
Many were seen wearing kufiyye, a traditional headdress considered a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Week of airstrikes
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces a week ago launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.
The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.
GENEVA
The international law "does not endorse" the evacuation of Gaza as ordered by Israel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday.
"We defend Israel's right to defend itself, but always within international humanitarian law, which does not endorse the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza," Sanchez told a socialist rally in Merida.
He said the conflict, "which has generated so much suffering, will only be resolved when the two states, Israel and Palestine, are recognized so that they can coexist in peace."
Spain's foreign minister also voiced concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying he is "alarmed" by the ongoing events.
"It is urgent to protect the civilian population, allow access to aid and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the release of hostages," Jose Manuel Albares said on X.
"We are ready to increase Spanish aid after initial support of €1M ($1.05 million) to UN," Albares added.
Meanwhile, thousands took to the streets in Barcelona on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinian people amid intensifying violence.
The crowd carrying Palestinian flags chanted slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine" and criticized Israel.
The messages on placards included "Free Palestine," "It's not a war, it's genecoide," and "Long live Palestinian resistance!"
Many were seen wearing kufiyye, a traditional headdress considered a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Week of airstrikes
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces a week ago launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.
The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern strip within 24 hours.
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