According to the United Nations human rights office, at least 18 people were killed and many more may be trapped under the rubble of the three-story building.OHCHR).
The murders “tick another escalation of violence”, Spokesperson of Secretary General Stéphane Dujarric speak journalists at a regular press conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday.
UN chief António Guterres also called for strict compliance with international law.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure sometimes have to be protected,” Mr. Dujarric said.
He also noted the United Nations chief’s call “to urgently come together to address the cycle of escalating violence, and work towards ending the occupation and getting back on track The two-state solution remains the only just and equitable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
“The bloodshed we are witnessing must stop.”
United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) teams are jointly visiting the area to assess damage and humanitarian needs.
Systematic use of deadly force
The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) also condemned the attack, describing it as “another clear example” of the Israeli Security Forces (ISF) “using lethal force in the West Bank often unnecessary, disproportionate and therefore illegal.”
“The razing of an entire building filled with people by aerial bombings shows a blatant disregard for Israel’s obligations,” OHCHR said in a statement declare issued on Friday.
It calls on Israel to conduct a thorough, prompt, independent and transparent investigation into the incident and hold the violators accountable.
There were no conflicts or confrontations at this location, and according to information collected by OHCHR, most of those killed were unarmed or were being hunted by Israeli security forces. Most were killed at home or simply passed by on the street.
Israeli forces announced that they killed a local Hamas leader who was believed to be planning to carry out attacks on Israeli settlements, as well as other alleged terrorists.
The sample is highly relevant
OHCHR further noted that the attack was part of a “very disturbing pattern” of Israeli forces illegally using force in military-like operations in the West Bank, causing widespread harm to Palestinians, as well as causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Since October 7, 2023 – when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked communities in southern Israel – Israeli forces have killed 697 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 161 children and 12 women.according to OHCHR. Among them, 186 people died due to air strikes.
In Tulkarem alone, 174 Palestinians were killed, including 88 from air strikes.
“Such incidents cannot become normalized as an acceptable method of law enforcement,” OHCHR stated.
Attack on school in Gaza
Meanwhile in Gaza, the United Nations agency supports Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Friday that three of its schools had been attacked in the previous two days, leaving 20 people dead. The schools sheltered about 20,000 people.
The agency added that since the war began, more than 140 of the country’s schools have been attacked, stressing that schools are not targets and no one can use them for any purpose. Which military?
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated, At least 87% of schools in Gaza have been directly attacked or damaged since October last yearincludes one-third of UNRWA schools.
Humanity must be allowed to save lives
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Aid, OCHAMr. Dujarric told journalists on Wednesday that they visited the site of the attack the previous night in the Maan area, east of Khan Younis.
“Our colleagues reported that ambulances trying to evacuate the injured could not reach them due to the ongoing incursion,” he said.
“Hours later, when first responders were finally able to reach the area, The bulldozer ran out of fuel while recovering bodies from under the rubble.”
He reiterated that emergency teams in Gaza must have the equipment, fuel and, most importantly, the safe and unhindered access they need to save lives.
