UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, stressed the need to reject any attempt to change the demographic composition of the Gaza Strip, expressing grave concern over recent statements by Israeli ministers regarding plans to encourage the mass transfer of civilians from Gaza to third countries, currently referred to as relocation.
He stressed that these statements raise serious concerns about the possibility of forced mass transfer or forced deportation of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip, which is strictly prohibited under international law, stressing that any displaced person in Gaza must be allowed to return, under international law.
Griffiths explained that efforts to send humanitarian convoys to the north were met with delays, rejection, and the imposition of impossible conditions, noting that expanding the attack on Rafah would represent a serious challenge to the “already exhausted” humanitarian operations that require taking exceptional measures to provide meager aid.
Before the Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Elsa Brands-Keres said: “The threat of forced displacement carries a special resonance for Palestinians – it is engraved in the Palestinian collective consciousness through the “Nakba” that occurred in 1948 when millions of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes.
She added that forced evictions that do not meet the legally necessary conditions may amount to forcible transfer – which is tantamount to a war crime, stressing the need to address the root causes behind them to reach a lasting solution to this crisis.
Also Read: https://usateller.com/international-court-of-justice-binding-on-states/
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