Axios

UN Human Rights Chief: Gaza Crisis, Israel “Worsened at Alarming Rate”

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Saturday called for a de-escalation of fighting between Israel and Hamas, warning that the crisis “has deteriorated at an alarming rate.” Why it matters: Bachelet said actions by both Israeli military and Palestinian activists may constitute violations of international humanitarian law and therefore may be considered war crimes. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Overview: The latest fighting between Israel and Hamas began on Monday following violence in Jerusalem over the planned evictions of six Palestinian families to make way for Israeli settlers. At least 140 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including dozens of children, according to Palestinian health officials. Nine people, including two children, were killed in Israel. The UN said on Friday that at least 10,000 people in Gaza had been displaced. An Israeli airstrike razed a building housing the offices of the PA, Al Jazeera and other media organizations on Saturday. This week was the scene of the worst inter-communal violence in Israel since the start of the second intifada in 2000. Protests also erupted across the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces killed more than a dozen Palestinians, including one person. according to the Israeli army. tried to attack soldiers. What she says: “I urge both sides to ensure strict compliance with their obligations under international law,” Bachelet said. “Israel, as the occupying power, has a duty to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.” “Rather than seeking to calm tensions, the inflammatory rhetoric from leaders of all stripes seems to seek to excite tensions rather than calm them,” she added. “Once again we see lives lost and terrified people are forced to flee or hide in their homes, subjected to attacks by both sides, which can constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.” to be responsible for violations must be held accountable. Bachelet said Israeli airstrikes and bombardments in densely populated areas have raised concerns that the Israeli military has targeted buildings which, under international humanitarian law, do not meet the requirements to be considered. as military targets She also said that indiscriminate firing of large numbers of rockets by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups into Israel in densely populated areas could violate international humanitarian law and would be considered war crimes . The crisis, said the UN. Go Further … Biden on appeal with Netanyahu expresses concern over civilian casualties in Gaza Inians displaced in Gaza as Israel-Hamas fighting escalates “Horrified”: AP and Al Jazeera condemn Israeli bombing from their offices in Gaza The Jerusalem crisis widens the gap between Jewish and Arab Israelis Get more Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.