The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) has called for a humanitarian pause in the Israeli-Palestinian
hostilities, so that aid can be provided to those in need in the Gaza
Strip.
“We echo the UN call for a humanitarian pause to enable aid
delivery and to prevent further suffering and deaths of the already much
beleaguered civilian population of Gaza. Urgent immediate, unimpeded
humanitarian access needs to be ensured,” OHCHR representative Ravina
Shamdasani said.
As noted, the OHCHR is concerned about the Israeli
authorities’ order to evacuate as that, being combined with the imposition of a
“complete siege” on Gaza, may not be considered as lawful temporary evacuation
and would therefore amount to a forcible transfer of civilians – in breach of
international law.
