More than 50 UN experts have sought sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel, denouncing a recent attack on a camp for displaced people in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
At least 46 civilians, including 23 women, children and elderly people, were killed in the assault by Israeli forces on Sunday night.
In a statement, UN experts denounced the deadly strikes as an outrage, calling for decisive international action to end the bloodshed in Gaza.
“Harrowing images of destruction, displacement and death have emerged from Rafah, including infants torn apart and people burnt alive,” the experts said.
They added: “These barbaric attacks are a flagrant violation of international law. They are also an attack on human decency and our collective humanity.”
Despite admitting that the strikes were a mistake, Israeli leaders bear international legal responsibility, according to the statement.
“Calling it a mistake will not make the strikes legal, bring back those killed in Rafah or give comfort to grieving survivors,” the UN experts argued.
They underlined the need for an independent international investigation into the attacks on the Rafah displacement camps. “Those responsible for these atrocities must be held to account,” the experts said.
They went on to demand immediate sanctions and other measures by the international community to pressure Israel to comply with international law.
“The flow of arms into Israel must stop immediately. It is abundantly clear that these weapons are being used to brutally kill and maim Palestinian civilians,” they stressed.
They also sought unhampered humanitarian access to Gaza and an end to the blockade and restrictions on the delivery of life-saving aid to civilians in the besieged enclave.
The experts voiced deep frustration at the international community’s “failure” to come together and stop Israel’s assault, which has endangered Palestinians and Israeli hostages alike.
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