(CNN) UN Experts: Israeli Airstrikes and Ground Operations In Jenin May Constitute a War Crime

(CNN) – International Experts said that Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in the occupied West Bank which targeted Jenin and killed at least 12 Palestinians may constitute a war crime, according to a report by special procedures belonging to the UN for Human Rights, which was published on Wednesday 5-7-2023.

The experts said that the Israeli military occupation operations in the West Bank and killing citizens in addition to demolition of their houses as well as displacing thousands rise to violation of International law and standards related to use of force, and this may constitute a war crime.

The statement added: “Between 3 and 4 July, Israeli forces killed at least 12 Palestinians, including five children, and injured more than 100 Palestinians, in one of the largest military operations launched by Israel in the occupied West Bank in years.

The demolitions forced thousands of Palestinians to flee and damaged infrastructure, homes and residential buildings.” The UN experts noted that “the attacks were the most violent in the West Bank since the destruction of the Jenin refugee camp in 2002.”

The statement pointed out that the experts referred to “multiple reports on the prevention of ambulances from entering the Jenin camp to evacuate the wounded, which impeded their access to medical assistance.”

The statement, which denounced the so-called “anti-terrorist” operations carried out by Israeli forces, said the attacks had found no justification under international law.

The experts said: “Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are protected persons under international law, and are guaranteed all human rights, including the presumption of innocence. The occupying power cannot treat them as a threat to collective security, especially at a time when it is advancing to annex Palestinian lands. and displace their residents”.

The statement said that the UN experts demanded that Israel be held accountable under international law for its illegal occupation and its violent actions.

“In order to end this ongoing violence, the illegal Israeli occupation must be ended,” they said, according to the statement. “It cannot be corrected or improved upon in the margins because it is wrong at its core.”

The experts are Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and Paula Gaviria Betancour, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the United Nations human rights system. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; They are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.