UN rights chief expresses concern over widespread destruction of buildings in Gaza

Geneva (Uttam Hindu News): UN rights chief Volker Turk has expressed concern over the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza by Israeli forces. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement on Thursday that he had informed Israeli officials that Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the expropriation or destruction of property of private individuals.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly destroying all buildings in the Gaza Strip that are within one kilometer of the Israel-Gaza fence. They are clearing the area with the aim of creating a “buffer zone”. Turks said in the statement that the widespread destruction of property had been carried out illegally and arbitrarily, Xinhua news agency reported. This is a serious violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime.

“Since the end of October 2023, the IDF has carried out widespread destruction and demolition of civilian and other infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools and universities, in areas where fighting is not taking place,” he said. The UN rights chief said Israel had given no concrete reason for such widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.