Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, has sharply criticized the escalating American military support for Israel amid its ongoing military operations in Gaza. In light of the tragic Al-Tabaeen School massacre, which claimed over 100 lives, Albanese condemned the use of increasingly lethal bombs by Israel, describing the horrific aftermath where bodies were dismembered beyond recognition. This tragic event occurred while individuals were praying at the school, which had become a refuge for those fleeing the violence.
Albanese highlighted the grim reality that identifying victims of the massacre is now done by weight, with bags weighing approximately 70 kg being used to represent adult bodies. The Israeli military justified its airstrike by claiming it targeted a military command center within the school, a claim that was categorically denied by the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine. They asserted that no militants were present at the location during the attack.
The Palestinian presidency has placed responsibility for this tragedy on the American administration, urging Washington to intervene and halt what they describe as ongoing massacres in Gaza. Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina emphasized that the U.S. bears responsibility for the consequences of its financial and military support for Israel. Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated, with reports indicating that nearly 132,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, a significant portion of whom are women and children, alongside thousands reported missing.
Despite international outcry and calls for an immediate ceasefire, Israel continues its military operations, disregarding UN Security Council resolutions and orders from the International Court of Justice aimed at preventing acts of genocide and alleviating the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
- The ongoing conflict has drawn widespread condemnation from various human rights organizations and international bodies, which have called for accountability and an end to the violence. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is increasingly critical, with shortages of food, medical supplies, and essential services exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population. International activists and organizations are urging for immediate action to protect civilians and uphold human rights amidst the escalating violence.
