By Vildan Kabasakal
The United Nations (UN) rapporteurs said Israel must implement an emergency ceasefire in Gaza and prevent civilian casualties. (AA)
UN rapporteurs issued a written statement on Gaza under the heavy attack and blockade of Israel.
The statement stressed that, under the International Court of Justice’s decision of January 26th, Israel must immediately impose a ceasefire and concrete humanitarian measures that prioritize the needs of Palestinian women and girls.
Almost complete interruption of education in Gaza, massive destruction of housing, problems with access to reproductive health services, increased arbitrary arrests and the risk of violence, as well as the urgent need to address the gender-based violence faced by women and girls in Gaza and the West Bank, were noted.
The statement added, “We are concerned about the extremely limited access to medical treatment and basic supplies in hospitals, reports that injured children without anesthesia are being amputated and cesarean section of pregnant women. Given the critical humanitarian situation, all attacks and raids by Israeli forces against hospitals in Gaza must be stopped immediately.
It said that a ceasefire in Gaza would require all measures to prevent civilian casualties and displacement, and that a field hospital should be set up near the Welfare Border Gate for emergency medical interventions and outside Gaza.
Call for the protection of women and girls
The statement points to the importance of facilitating the distribution of food, drinking water, medicine, fuel and other aid materials critical to the survival of women and girls, health care and psychosocial support should not be ignored.
Stating that education facilities should no longer be used as shelters in Gaza, the statement called for additional shelters and schools to be built so that girls can continue their education.
“Women and girls who survive in Gaza and the West Bank or are at risk of gender-based violence should be provided safe spaces and war compensation, the statement said. Those who commit violence against them, including Israeli officials and settlers, must be held accountable” he said.
These measures, the statement said, include steps to prevent Israel from causing further harm to Palestinian women and children, as required by international human rights law and other international obligations. (AA)
