GENEVA, Monday, May 6, 2024 (WAFA) - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today warned that civilian deaths, suffering and destruction were set to increase beyond already unbearable levels following Israel’s orders to Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of an anticipated new offensive. "This is inhumane," he stated.

“Gazans continue to be hit with bombs, disease, and even famine. And today, they have been told that they must relocate yet again as Israeli military operations into Rafah scale up,” the UN High Commissioner said.

“This is inhumane. It runs contrary to the basic principles of international humanitarian and human rights laws, which have the effective protection of civilians as their overriding concern.”

“Forcibly relocating hundreds of thousands from Rafah to areas which have already been flattened and where there is little shelter and virtually no access to humanitarian assistance necessary for their survival is inconceivable. It will only expose them to more danger and misery,” he added.

After more than half a year of relentless strikes by the Israeli Forces across Gaza, there is no location outside of Rafah with the infrastructure and resources to host the mass displacement of over one million people, said Türk.

“Those that elect to flout international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be held to account.”

T.R.