UN Expert Urges Ceasefire Due To Genocide Risks In Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - UN experts have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, saying time is running out for Palestinians there to face a "major risk of genocide".

Gaza faces a total blockade and bombing by Israel, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out an attack on the southern region of the country on 7 October.

Israel said it was directing its attack on Hamas, not civilians, and accused the group of using them as shields.

"We remain confident that the Palestinian people are at great risk of genocide," read a statement by a group of experts consisting of seven UN special reporters.

"We demand a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure aid reaches those most in need," he continued.

Meanwhile, Israel's mission to the United Nations in Geneva called the report "sad and deeply concerning", blaming Hamas for the deaths of civilians.

"The war is currently being launched on Israel by Hamas, which carried out an attack on October 7, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping 243 children, men and women," he said.

It is known, the International Criminal Court defines genocide crimes as a special intention to destroy as a whole or part of a group of nations, ethnicities, races or religions by killing their members or in other ways, including implementing actions aimed at preventing birth or forcibly moving children from the country.

On October 28, senior UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber wrote a letter to Volker Turk's High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying "we see genocide happening in front of our eyes, and the organization we serve seems powerless to stop it." It was followed by his desire to resign.

The United Nations Human Rights Office said Mokhiber's retirement plans took effect this week and his views were "personal", not reflecting the office's view.

Speaking to Reuters after the expert's statement was issued, one expert said Gazans had lost "the most basic element to life."

"We use the term genocide risk because the ongoing process is completely indiscriminate, and in this case it has an impact on more than 2 million people," explained Pedro Arrojo Agudo, Special Reporter for Human Rights regarding safe drinking water and cleanliness.

"And in this case, I think we face the risk of genocide," he said.

It is known that aid supplies to Gaza have stalled since Israel began bombarding the densely populated enclave. Aid organizations say existing supplies cannot meet the needs of the people there.

The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, UN experts say, adding Gazans experience water shortages, medicines, fuels and critical supplies and face health hazards.

Experts also point to Israeli allies, who they say hold responsibility and must act now to prevent disaster-causing actions.

"We call on Israel and its allies to immediately agree to a ceasefire. We are running out of time," the UN experts said.