Doha: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) reiterated its condemnation of the serious attacks that the Israeli occupation has been continuously committing against the Palestinian people since Oct. 7, 2023, in a flagrant violation of all rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law obligations, including repeated deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian facilities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the committee stated that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 60,000 civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, and injuries to at least 148,722 people in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, over 7,500 civilians have been injured in the West Bank during the occupation's raids, arrests, and colonist attacks.
In this context, HE Chairperson of NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized that the Israeli occupation's ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip have created an extremely difficult humanitarian reality. This includes depriving civilians of basic human rights necessary for survival, such as food, safe water, healthcare, and adequate housing, through the deliberate targeting of homes, hospitals, and civilian institutions.
Her Excellency expressed her concern about the policy of starving civilians practiced by the Israeli occupation authorities. This is done through the deliberate denial of access to food and the imposition of severe obstacles and restrictions on relief organizations, leading food indicators to exceed famine thresholds and causing deaths, especially among children due to hunger and severe malnutrition.
Al Attiya stressed the need for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, and an end to the occupation's policy of starvation and denial of basic rights. This includes removing restrictions on humanitarian organizations to enable them to provide relief assistance.
HE Chairperson of NHRC acknowledged the role of the State of Qatar in addressing the humanitarian impact of the Israeli occupation's attacks on Gaza residents, as well as its mediation efforts with Egypt and the US for a comprehensive ceasefire. She urged the international community to act decisively to alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
She warned against ignoring genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli occupation, calling for international criminal measures to hold those responsible accountable. The international silence on these crimes fosters impunity, undermines international criminal justice efforts, and weakens international law principles.
HE Chairperson of NHRC expressed the committee's concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, warning that its continuation threatens the credibility of the international system, including human rights mechanisms.