UN Expresses Alarm over Gaza Deaths Since Ceasefire

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concern over the number of Palestinians killed near Israeli military positions in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire agreement in October.

According to the organization, some of the incidents could constitute unlawful killings of civilians and potentially amount to war crimes.

The UN said that of the 453 confirmed deaths recorded between the start of the ceasefire and 5 February, 152 occurred near the so-called “yellow line”, an area designated by Israel along the border with Hamas-controlled territory.

According to the OHCHR, the victims included 102 men, 15 women, 24 boys and 11 girls.

Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN human rights office for the Palestinian territories, said the available information raised serious concerns that Israeli forces may have fired on civilians solely because they were close to the restricted zone.

He added that many of the victims did not appear to pose a threat and that some were shot while carrying out ordinary daily activities.

Israel says military operations near the area are intended to prevent militant attacks. Since the ceasefire began, Israel has also expanded the military control zone, which Israeli maps indicate now covers nearly two-thirds of the Gaza Strip.

According to health authorities in Gaza, around 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire came into effect. Israel, meanwhile, says four of its soldiers have been killed during the same period.

(reuters, bak)