Latest news with #OHCHR
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
OHCHR: Palestinians in Gaza Dying from Starvation and Bullets as Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid
Ahmed Emam The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by starvation or shot by Israeli forces as they attempt to access food and humanitarian assistance. In a powerful statement, the OHCHR said the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave has deteriorated to the point where residents are "starving to death." The Gaza Ministry of Health has recorded 101 deaths from malnutrition in recent days, including 15 deaths within a single 24-hour period. Alarmingly, at least 80 of those reported deaths were children. 'Many more have arrived at hospitals in a state of severe exhaustion caused by lack of food. Others are collapsing in the streets. Many more may be dying unreported,' the OHCHR said. The UN rights body also revealed that between May 27 and July 21, Israeli forces killed 1,054 Palestinians in Gaza as they attempted to access food. Of those, 766 were killed near Gaza Humanitarian Field (GHF) sites and 288 near UN and other aid convoys. 'These deaths and the horrendous physical and psychological suffering caused by hunger are the result of Israel's interference with and militarisation of humanitarian assistance,' the statement added. The OHCHR blamed the mounting toll on the Israeli-imposed blockade and other restrictions that are severely impeding the entry and distribution of aid into Gaza. The agency condemned the use of lethal force against civilians seeking food. 'The Israeli military must immediately stop shooting at people trying to get food. Firearms must never be used simply to disperse a crowd, even as a warning,' the OHCHR said. The UN body urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring the delivery of adequate food and lifesaving necessities to Gaza's population. It also called on third-party states to take concrete steps to pressure Israel to lift what it described as 'unlawful restrictions' on humanitarian operations. The statement comes amid ongoing warnings from international agencies about the risk of famine in Gaza, where the war and blockade have decimated food supply chains and obstructed aid distribution efforts. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Syria Crisis: Hundreds Killed In Ongoing Violence, Hospitals Overwhelmed
Briefing reporters in Geneva, UN human rights office, OHCHR, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani highlighted 'credible' reports of 'widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes' in the city of Suweida. 'Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities as well as other armed elements from the area, including the Druze and Bedouin,' she said. Many hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, the UN refugee agency UNHCR also noted. Forced to flee On Friday morning, OHCHR colleagues reported that clashes were continuing and that 'a lot of people are trying to flee or have fled the area', Ms. Shamdasani continued. The latest updates from the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office, OCHA, on Thursday indicated that nearly 2,000 families had been displaced from areas affected by the fighting. Hundreds have reportedly been killed since sectarian violence involving the Druze and Bedouin communities erupted on 12 July, triggering an intervention by Syrian security forces. OHCHR's Ms. Shamdasani highlighted an incident on 15 July in which at least 13 people were killed when 'armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering'. Briefing an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York on Thursday, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari also referenced reports of 'civilians, religious figures and detainees being subjected to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment'. He urged all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Rumours and fact-checking Ms. Shamdasani stressed that the UN human rights office has been trying to verify the information through 'contacts on the ground…families of people who were killed, eyewitnesses', but that obtaining reliable estimates of the death toll remains challenging. 'There are lots of videos circulating,' she said. 'Some claim to be fighters who are in the area filming the abuses and violations they're carrying out. We are trying to verify some of these videos, but there's a lot of disinformation out there and a lot of it is being used to incite further violence to inflame tensions.' The OHCHR spokesperson also expressed concern about reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel's airstrikes on Suweida, Dara'a and central Damascus. 'Attacks such as the one on Damascus on Wednesday pose great risks to civilians and civilian objects,' she warned, calling for the strikes to cease. Israel had launched the strikes pledging to protect the Druze community. The violence and displacement have sparked 'considerable' humanitarian needs, with the health and aid systems struggling to keep up, said William Spindler of the UN refugee agency UNCHR. 'Many of the hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have been injured in the recent fighting,' he said. According to OCHA, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched enough trauma and emergency surgery kits for 1,750 interventions to the area, but many 'remain undelivered due to access constraints'. Since the displaced had to flee at very short notice, they are in desperate need of essentials – blankets, jerry cans, solar lamps – but providing these items has been a challenge. Too risky to enter 'We have this in stock and we are ready to deliver them as soon as the security allows it,' Mr. Spindler said. 'For now, this has not been possible.' He also warned of water shortages due to electricity outages. He said people are unable to buy bottled water or food because of the insecurity. UNHCR has an office in rural Suweida and Mr. Spindler expressed concern about the impact of the hostilities on the agency's operations, infrastructure and personnel. 'We know that humanitarian infrastructure has been affected,' he said, describing an incident on 15 July in which a warehouse of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was severely damaged by shelling. The UNHCR spokesperson called on all parties to the conflict to respect and protect humanitarian premises, personnel and assets 'in accordance with international humanitarian law'.
Ya Libnan
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
UN rights chief calls for accountability over deadly clashes in Syria's Sweida
The head of the United Nations human rights office called on Friday for Syria's authorities to ensure accountability and justice for killings and rights violations in the southern city of Sweida. Syria's government sent troops this week to the predominantly Druze city to quell fighting between Bedouins and Druze, but the violence grew after the Syrian troops joined the fighting against the Druze following which a ceasefire was declared. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had received credible reports of widespread rights violations during the fighting. These included reports of summary executions, kidnappings, and the destruction of private property carried out by various groups, including government-linked forces 'This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,' OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Turk said in a statement. 'My Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones,' Turk said. Hundreds were killed including 2 Druze women and 2 Druze children
Reuters
5 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Head of UN rights office urges accountability for killings in Syria's Sweida
GENEVA, July 18 (Reuters) - The head of the United Nations human rights office called on Friday for Syria's interim authorities to ensure accountability and justice for killings and rights violations in the southern city of Sweida. Syria's government sent troops this week to the predominantly Druze city to quell fighting between Bedouins and Druze, but the violence grew until a ceasefire was declared. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had received credible reports of widespread rights violations during the fighting. These included reports of summary executions, kidnappings and destruction of private property by security forces and individuals linked to Syria's interim authorities, as well as other armed elements including Druze and Bedouins. "This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law," OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Turk said in a statement. At least 13 people were unlawfully killed in one recorded incident on July 15 when affiliates of the interim authorities opened fire at a family gathering, the OHCHR said. Six men were summarily executed near their homes the same day. "My Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones," Turk said. Israel carried out airstrikes on Damascus on Wednesday and also hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying it aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority with followers in Lebanon and Israel. Turk shared his concern following reports of civilian casualties following Israeli airstrikes on Sweida, Daraa in the southwest, and on the centre of Damascus.
CNA
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Head of UN rights office urges accountability for killings in Syria's Sweida
GENEVA: The head of the United Nations human rights office called on Friday (Jul 18) for Syria's interim authorities to ensure accountability and justice for killings and rights violations in the southern city of Sweida. Syria's government sent troops this week to the predominantly Druze city to quell fighting between Bedouins and Druze, but the violence grew until a ceasefire was declared. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had received credible reports of widespread rights violations during the fighting. These included reports of summary executions, kidnappings and destruction of private property by security forces and individuals linked to Syria's interim authorities, as well as other armed elements including Druze and Bedouins. "This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law," OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Turk said in a statement. At least 13 people were unlawfully killed in one recorded incident on July 15 when affiliates of the interim authorities opened fire at a family gathering, the OHCHR said. Six men were summarily executed near their homes the same day. "My Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones," Turk said. Israel carried out airstrikes on Damascus on Wednesday and also hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying it aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority with followers in Lebanon and Israel.
