Inability to save lives in Gaza ‘epical failure’ of UN, international community: UN envoy

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – The inability to maintain peace and security and save lives in Gaza is an “epical failure” of the United Nations and the international community, the UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories said on Friday.

Francesca Albanese, in a video interview, told Anadolu that she does not see a strategy that would bring an end to the bloodshed and bombings in Gaza.

“I do not see a UN strategy. I do not see any political strategy to stop the slaughtering of civilians in line with what international law requires to prevent atrocious crimes.”

With over 4,000 Palestinians, including 1,524 children, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, Albanese said these attacks by Israel cannot be in its own defense.

“There's no way that this can be called legitimate self-defense. There is nothing that the concept of self-defense is slaughtering civilians.”

Calling for humanitarian aid to be urgently provided to people in Gaza, both in the south and in the north, she said it would be useless while Gaza is being heavily bombed, adding that it is critical to stop the bombing.

Albanese called upon her organization to “act in line with the UN responsibilities to maintain peace and security and save lives.”

She said that protection is critical and when member states are not able to ensure protection, then the UN has a responsibility to intervene.

- Blocking of cease-fire resolution at Security Council

Regarding the recent vetoing of a cease-fire resolution at the UN Security Council, she said that only one member state vetoed the resolution.

“The same member state, the United States, who's giving more military aid to Israel at this critical time, without putting the requirement to end the hostilities on both sides right now.”

She said that the UN’s Security Council is responsible for peace and security.

“It's unconscionable … the Security Council not being able to pass because of US vote.”

She said it is fundamental for the UN to enforce a cease-fire, help the warring parties, and help Israel and Hamas negotiate a truce that ends the killing of civilians.

“It would be impossible to do so without political pressure from outside,” she added.

Regarding an investigation into war crimes, she said a UN probe was opened a week ago and the Commission of Inquiry on Israel and Palestine is already collecting information and evidence about war crimes, or other crimes committed by all parties as of Oct. 7.

The UN official warned that in case Israel initiates a land operation against the Palestinians and no humanitarian aid is allowed, it would be an “upcoming death” for the people of Gaza.