Commemorating Human Rights Day In The Middle Of Hamas-Israeli War, UN Officials: It's As If We Have Not Learned Anything For 75 Years

Gazans were forced to flee due to Israeli attacks. (Twitter/@UNRWA)

JAKARTA - The United Nations' top humanitarian officials gave a grim assessment of the current Hamas-Israeli war, as the world commemorates International Human Rights Day on Sunday.

In a statement, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Palestinian Population of Lynn Hastings condemned Hamas' attack on October 7 on Israel. On the other hand, the response made by Israel in Gaza was considered Hastings disproportionate.

"Today could be a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was born from the atrocities of two world wars," Hastings said.

"On the other hand, human rights are being attacked in Israel and the Palestinian Population. Violations committed against the two community groups will not bring peace and security to the two countries," he stressed.

Hastings said non-state armed actors such as Hamas had obligations under international law, adding that the perpetrators of the October 7 attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and more than 240 others were held accountable.

"The killing, sexual violence and kidnapping have caused trauma to the entire nation. Elderly, people with disabilities, and children are not spared," he explained.

Since the October 7 attacks, Israeli forces have turned most of Gaza into deserts. Airstrikes have devastated the entire environment and nearly 2 million people, mostly Gazans, were forced to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.

The death toll from Palestinians on the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip has risen to 17,997, the Ministry of Health said in the enclave on Sunday, as quoted by Anadolu.

Speaking at a news conference, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra added that 49,229 others were injured in Israeli attacks on blockaded territory.

Israel's response was "unjustified", Hastings said.

"Airstrikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and UN facilities as well as repeated displacements of civilian population cannot be justified. Extortion will also not make Gaza's entire population lose food, water, health services and cleanliness," said Hastings.

"In 2023, I don't need to issue such a statement. It's as if we haven't learned anything in the last 75 years," he concluded.