UN urges halt to arms shipments to Israel amid ongoing Gaza genocide
13 oC
13 oC
Güneşli
13 oC
Güneşli
A group of United Nations experts issued a stern warning on Thursday to manufacturers involved in supplying arms and ammunition to Israel, cautioning them against complicity in human rights abuses and breaches of international law.
The statement, endorsed by 30 experts including U.N. Special Rapporteurs, emphasized that companies continuing to supply war materiel to Israeli forces risked being implicated in serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
The experts highlighted the heightened risk following the International Court of Justice's recent emergency ruling instructing Israel to cease its military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza. They underscored that ongoing arms transfers could be interpreted as knowingly supporting operations that contravene international legal standards, potentially resulting in financial gains from such assistance.
According to the experts, the current Israeli military offensive has been characterized by indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure. They pointed to extensive use of explosive and incendiary weapons in densely populated areas, causing widespread destruction of essential civilian infrastructure including housing, health facilities, and schools.
The toll from these operations, as detailed by the experts, includes over 37,000 deaths and 84,000 injuries in Gaza, with an estimated 70 percent of casualties being women and children. They also highlighted severe environmental and climate damage resulting from the conflict.
"The imperative for an arms embargo on Israel and for investors to take decisive action is more urgent than ever," the UN experts asserted. They referenced international obligations under the Geneva Conventions, the Genocide Convention, and other human rights treaties, stressing the need for compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The statement commended journalists, human rights defenders, and lawyers for their efforts in documenting and reporting on the impacts of these weapons on civilians in Gaza. It called for accountability measures against states and companies involved in arms transfers to Israel.
The experts, part of the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures, work independently and voluntarily, separate from any government or organization. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has appealed directly to the American public, calling on U.S. citizens to distance themselves from Israel and urging Washington to change its approach toward Iran and the wider Middle East.
The death toll from a fire at a fireworks factory in Russia's Yaroslavl region has risen to 14, while emergency crews continue recovery operations at the site, authorities said.
At least 23 people have died in flooding across Thailand since Sept. 16, including four in Bangkok, where torrential rain inundated parts of the capital and affected about 700,000 people, authorities said on Tuesday.
At least 44 people were killed after heavy fighting erupted between Ansarullah forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to military sources from both sides.
