By Oliver Towfigh Nia
BERLIN (AA) - The German Central Council of Muslims on Wednesday accused Israel of committing “war crimes” in the Gaza war, saying the Jewish state’s deadly military actions amount to a collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.
“We are now seeing indescribable suffering falling on Gaza. From our point of view, the war bombing by Israel is a war crime," Aiman Mazyek, the chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, said in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF.
He stressed that “collective punishments” of the civilian Palestinian population would “not lead to resolving” the Middle East conflict.
Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza “dramatic,” Mazyek urged for establishing aid corridors and a cease-fire on both sides.
“The use of arms must be stopped immediately. People need to be helped. Corridors must be created so that humanitarian help can be provided,” he added.
Mazyek’s remarks come in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Tuesday which left hundreds dead and injured.
The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.
More than 10,300 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected growing calls for a cease-fire, saying it would be a "surrender" to Hamas and "that will not happen."