UN Rights Expert Highlights Impact of Israel's Military Operation on Palestinian Civilians

9/30/2014 5:41:01 AM

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) New York September 30 (QNA) - The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Makarim Wibisono at the end of his first mission to the region expressed alarm at the terrible cost paid by Palestinian civilians especially children in Gaza as a result of Israel's military operation that lasted 50 days in this year.

According to a press release on his findings the latest round of violence from 7 July to 26 August 2014 has left 1479 civilians including 506 children dead. A staggering 11231 Palestinian civilians including 3436 children were injured many now struggling with life-long disabilities. Tens of thousands of children live with the trauma of having witnessed the horrific killings of family members friends and neighbours before their own eyes.

"This raises serious questions about possible violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law" Wibisono said.

"Israel's claim of self-defense against an occupied population living under a blockade considered to be illegal under international law is untenable" he said. "In a population where over half of the 1.8 million people are under 18 this is truly a tragedy which will be felt for generations to come." Not a single child in Gaza was spared from the impact of the conflict said the Special Rapporteur. "Children now suffer from bedwetting difficulties in sleeping nightmares a loss of appetite and schools are seeing more aggressive behaviour in pupils" he said.

During his visit to the region Wibisono met with Palestinian officials civil society representatives human rights defenders and victims among others in Amman Cairo and in Gaza via video and teleconference as Israel did not grant access to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Wibisono noted that voices from across the occupied Palestinian territory called in unison for three demands: the need for accountability an end to the blockade and an end to the occupation.

The Special Rapporteur also raised serious concerns about the deteriorating situation of human rights in the West Bank including East Jerusalem regarding the excessive use of force by Israeli security forces in the context of demonstrations and clashes in recent months.

Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff nor are they paid for their work.

Wibisono will report fully on his findings and recommendations to the 28th session of the Council in March 2015. (QNA)

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