The statement published by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights fails to refer to Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, by name. This glaring omission and lack of condemnation of Hamas is at best misleading and, at worst, a deliberate misrepresentation of the situation on the ground. The missile attacks by Hamas on Israel and its citizens began on Monday after many days of incitement, with the encouragement of the Palestinian Authority, around religious and national events in Jerusalem.
Hamas is responsible for double war crimes committed in Gaza over the previous week. It has indiscriminately attacked Israeli civilians with over 2300 rockets fired from densely populated civilian areas. Hamas also continues to use innocent civilians in Gaza as human shields. One-third of the rockets fired by Hamas have landed within Gaza itself, maiming and killing civilians, including women and children, and damaging vital infrastructure, including three power lines which resulted in 250,000 people losing electricity.
While Hamas intentionally and indiscriminately targets civilians, Israel conducts its military operations in accordance with its obligations under the Law of Armed Conflict, including the principles of distinction and proportionality. Israel takes measures, including early warnings, which provide time for civilians to evacuate buildings prior to attacks and ensures their safety. This has been acknowledged by OCHA, that reported residents receiving prior warnings to evacuate from callers identifying themselves as Israeli security forces. While Hamas aims to kill as many civilians as possible, Israel protects civilian populations while going to great lengths to minimize civilian casualties. Israel has a robust and effective legal system, including legal advice on operational activities and effective military and civilian accountability mechanisms.
In parallel to the violence emanating from Gaza, Israel is facing internal violence, which is subject to domestic law enforcement. The statement by the High Commissioner is inflammatory and only contributes to increasing tensions and inflaming the situation, while in Israel, our leadership and civil society have looked to de-escalate and reject the violence. On 13 May, the President of Israel, President Rivlin, said:
“The security of our citizens is paramount; we are determined to deal with the violence raging on the streets of Israel. This is home to us all, and we must all protect it from all those who seek our harm beyond our borders and from criminals fomenting disorder at home… We must not allow it and must speak out for the rule of law and shared existence. Extremists must not set the tone. We, the moderate majority, Jews and Arabs, want to continue to live here together.”
Israel has the right to defend its citizens and will continue to target Hamas as long as it threatens civilian lives. Israel calls on the International Community to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war crimes.
ENDS.