The Conclusion of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Addresses the Israel-Gaza Conflict

On Friday, October 13th, the UN Human Rights Council convened in Geneva, where the conclusion of the meeting was an opportunity for 22 countries and one NGO to address the conflict in Gaza and Israel that has been going on for over a week. 

The Israel-Gaza conflict commenced due to Hamas attacks against Israel and the capture of more than 100 Israelis who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Israel responded by intense aerial bombardment, a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, and an order to evacuate the northern area of the Gaza Strip within 24 hours.

Among members of the human rights body (which is made up of 47 Member States) who spoke were Pakistan, Algeria, and Sudan. Their interventions focused on Israel’s behavior in Gaza, including loss of civilian life and important infrastructure, the need for humanitarian corridors in Gaza, and support for Palestinian self-determination. France, the US, the UK, and Germany raised the joint communiqué issued by their leaders and Italy. This document expressed their united and immediate support for the State of Israel and the condemnation of Hamas and its acts of terrorism. Belgium and Czechia also made comments supporting Israel and called for the release of hostages. South Africa, China, and India urged de-escalation tactics for both parties involved in the conflict, humanitarian assistance and efforts towards reaching a peace agreement. Non-members Israel and Palestine participated as well in the meeting.

Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim M. Khraishi pleaded for an end to the ongoing “massacre” in the Gaza Strip, with casualties that included “more than 1,750 martyrs, more than 500 children and 7,000 injured”. He also described the ongoing destruction in Gaza, racist and criminal declarations, the cutting of food, electricity, water and fuel, and Israel representatives calling Palestinian people “human animals”. Despite the destruction of infrastructure and human life, these acts would never kill the will and determination of the Palestinian people to achieve their freedom and end occupation by Israel. 

Israeli Ambassador Meirav Elion Shahar stated that more than 1,300 citizens and foreigners were massacred by Hamas, and about 2,500 terrorists entered the country “to murder, torture, rape, kidnap and behead my people”. She exclaimed that Hamas had no regard for human life and rights, shooting innocent people, blowing up whole families in their  homes, and stabbing young children. The Israeli representative claimed that ISIS and Hamas were the same sides of the same coin and asked what the states in the Arab Group did in response to ISIS. Ambassador Shahar explained that delegations had been in the works for years that supported Hamas and its calls for the destruction of the Jewish people. She stated that others should condemn Hamas and call for the release of hostages, and countries should join on the side of Israel to fight this war against terror.

The NGO International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) condemned all crimes under international law committed by Israel and Palestine, proclaiming that targeted and indiscriminate attacks against civilians can never be justified. It called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to speed up its investigation into the serious crimes committed by both parties. The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories should also address the conflict in the context of the roots of its causes, including settler colonialism, apartheid and denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and return.

Last update

15/10/2023