UN Human Rights Office gravely concerned at continued Israeli bombardment of central Gaza

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) – The UN Human Rights Office said Tuesday it is gravely concerned about the continued bombardment of central Gaza by Israeli forces, which has claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives since this Monday.

“It is particularly concerning that this latest intense bombardment comes after Israeli forces ordered residents from the south of Wadi Gaza (Gaza Valley) to move to middle Gaza and Tal al-Sultan in Rafah,” said UN rights office spokesperson Seif Magango.

He said the Israeli Air Force reportedly carried out more than 50 strikes across central Gaza on Sunday and Monday, including on three refugee camps: Al Bureij, Al-Nuseirat, and Al-Maghazi.

“Two strikes hit seven residential buildings in Al-Maghazi camp, killing an estimated 86 Palestinians and injuring many more,” said Magango.

“An unknown number of people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble.”

The UN rights office said the combined death toll from the strikes in the Al-Maghazi and Al-Bureij has since risen to at least 131, according to Doctors Without Borders.

Israel continues to bombard the Gaza Strip from the air and land in retaliation for an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surged to 20,674, the Health Ministry in the territory said Monday.

All roads connecting the three refugee camps have been destroyed, blocking relief aid from reaching those in need, and shelters and hospitals still minimally operating are critically overcrowded and under-resourced.

“We restate our warning that all attacks must strictly adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack,” said Magango.

“Israeli forces must take all measures available to protect civilians. Warnings and evacuation orders do not absolve them of the full range of their international humanitarian law obligations.”