UN Human Rights Expert Calls for Ceasefire Amidst Fear of Mass Ethnic Cleansing in Israel-Palestine Conflict
A human rights expert for the United Nations has issued a plea for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli forces, warning of the potential for mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, voiced her concerns in a press release as the violence in the region continues to escalate.
Albanese emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch. The United Nations and its Member States must intensify efforts to mediate an immediate ceasefire between the parties, before we reach a point of no return.” She further stressed the responsibility of the international community to prevent and protect populations from atrocity crimes, and called for immediate accountability for international crimes committed by both Israeli occupation forces and Hamas.
According to the press release, the ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,900 Palestinians since last Saturday, including over 600 children. It also stated that over 423,000 individuals have been displaced as a direct consequence of the Israeli strikes.
The UN’s call for a ceasefire comes in the wake of Israel’s order for approximately 1 million Palestinians in the northern part of Gaza to evacuate to the southern part of the territory. The UN has warned that the mass movement of people within a 24-hour deadline would have disastrous consequences. Additionally, the territory is facing blackouts, and Israel has declared that it will not allow supplies into Gaza unless Hamas releases hostages taken into the territory.
Albanese expressed deep concern that the current situation could lead to a repetition of the Nakba in 1948 and the Naksa in 1967, but on a larger scale. The Nakba refers to the events of 1947-1949 when over 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes and lands during the hostilities that led to the establishment of the State of Israel. The Naksa, a similar event in 1967, resulted in Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, displacing 350,000 Palestinians.
As the violence continues to intensify, it remains crucial for the international community to take immediate action to bring about a ceasefire and prevent the further loss of innocent lives. The UN’s call serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and protection of vulnerable populations in times of conflict.