The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations has sounded the alarm about the current situation in Gaza, warning that the actions of the Israeli government are endangering the existence of Palestinians as a group. During a recent press conference in Geneva, the spokesperson for the Office, Ravina Shamdasani, expressed deep concern about the cumulative effect of violence, destruction, and displacement in the region.
Shamdasani detailed that an alarming number of deaths and the destruction of essential infrastructure have intensified the humanitarian crisis, making access to basic needs difficult. Israeli authorities have repeatedly suggested to residents to leave Gaza, raising serious questions about the viability of the future for Palestinians in the area.
Between March 18 and April 9, 2025, around 224 Israeli attacks targeting residential buildings and displaced camps were recorded, disproportionately affecting women and children. Shamdasani expressed fear that there may be deliberate intentions from Israel to permanently displace civilians from Gaza, especially in the context of recent evacuation orders and intensifying bombings. The situation has become unbearable for over 2.1 million inhabitants of the strip, who are trapped without access to food, clean water, and basic services.
Furthermore, the Office of Human Rights highlighted an alarming trend of attacks against journalists in the area, reporting that at least 209 professionals have been killed since the beginning of Hamas attacks in October 2023. Restricting international media access to Gaza further complicates coverage of this crisis.
Shamdasani also indicated that, while under certain circumstances temporary evacuation of civilians may be legal, the magnitude of current evacuation orders raises doubts about Israel’s true intentions, which may be seeking permanent displacement, violating international norms. The situation is aggravated by the risk of collective punishment and starvation being used as methods of war, constituting a serious violation of international law.
The humanitarian crisis is increasingly being felt in Gaza, where Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s representative for the region, reported that nearly 36 million tons of essential medical supplies are accumulating at closed border crossings. The reduction of international medical teams has left hospitals extremely vulnerable, and medical evacuations for critically ill patients are severely hindered. Calls to resume these evacuations and restore treatment routes to the West Bank and Jerusalem are becoming more urgent.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
