UN official denounces 'brutality' in Gaza crisis, urges compliance with international law

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The director of the operations and advocacy division at the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) condemned the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, saying that "brutality" in the crisis knows "no limits."

"The latest developments in Gaza and the West Bank compel us to affirm, yet again, the equal value of every human life," Edem Wosornu told a UN Security Council session Wednesday on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The emergency session of the Council was conveyed at Israel's request and supported by France, the UK and the US to discuss the situation of the Israeli hostages.

The session was also separately requested by Algeria to discuss developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Wosornu emphasized the urgent need to uphold international humanitarian law, which she said seeks to minimize the suffering of civilians.

Noting that the Gaza crisis is "marked by loss and agony, with civilians bearing the heaviest burden," she said: "The brutality of this conflict seems to know no limits."

Highlighting the growing attacks on humanitarian workers and assets, Wosornu said at least 295 workers have been killed since Oct. 7 last year and that UN vehicles have been directly hit by the Israeli military in over a dozen incidents despite prior notifications.

"Allow me to reiterate our concern from last week: we remain very alarmed by the human toll of intensified Israeli military operations in the West Bank," she added.

She said that humanitarian organizations have faced obstacles in assessing the full impact due to access denials by Israeli forces.

Wosornu stressed that the use of force in the West Bank by the Israeli military must comply with international human rights law and standards governing law enforcement.

"Tactics typically used during hostilities in armed conflict are inconsistent with these standards and raise concerns of excessive use of force," she said.

Saying that compliance with international humanitarian law "is not optional," Wosornu called on the Security Council and member states to leverage their influence to enforce adherence to these laws, urging diplomatic pressure and accountability to "end the suffering" and make promises of protection a reality.

UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo echoed Wosornu's concerns, highlighting the dire situation on the ground and the increasing number of fatalities due to ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.

DiCarlo noted the urgent need for the release of all hostages, saying "all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally."

She also expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, noting that the situation remains dire with continued Israeli military operations and illegal settler attacks.

"I urge Israel, as the occupying power, to protect the Palestinian population against all acts or threats of violence," she said.

DiCarlo further warned that "with every passing day, we get further away from the objective of ending the occupation and achieving a viable two-state solution."

She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting the establishment of a peaceful resolution where Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state coexist peacefully within secure and recognized borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.