GENEVA, Monday, May 6, 2024 (WAFA) – Speaking to Anadolu Agency, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese warned that Israel's possible attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah would be an "attack on the civilian population" and a "massacre."

Talking to Anadolu about the latest situation in Gaza, Albanese warned of infectious diseases in Gaza due to the increase in temperature, adding that people, especially children, are dying due to malnutrition.

Underlining that there are no antibiotics, painkillers, disinfectants, doctors and medical personnel in the region, she said: "The death toll keeps rising not only because of bombs but also because of the lack of health facilities."

Pointing out the humanitarian, legal, political and humanitarian aspects of the looming attack on Rafah, Albanese said this is not a military struggle, but an attack on the civilian population, reported Anadolu.

“From a legal point of view, there is no justification whatsoever to continue this operation. There should be a cease-fire,” she added.

As the occupying power, the rapporteur said, Israel has failed to fulfill its "obligation to provide adequate access to relief the humanitarian needs" under international humanitarian law, reported the agency.

"It's also preventing others from doing so. When these convoys enter with a huge delay, they're also targeted," she added.

Albanese said an attack on Rafah, where Palestinians are living under dire conditions, would be a "massacre."

Albanese described Israel's non-compliance with the injunctions in the genocide case against it at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a "challenge".

T.R.