The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday that Israel’s bombing of the Jabalia Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip “could constitute a war crime,” AFP reported.

“Given the high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction following the Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp, we are gravely concerned that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes,” the High Commission wrote in a message on X (formerly Twitter). ).

Israel bombed the Jabalia refugee camp twice on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing significant material damage to the small and densely populated area and killing dozens of civilians each time, according to Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and according to AFPTV footage.

On Tuesday, Israel clarified that it had targeted Hamas commander Ibrahim Biari, who is said to be one of those responsible for the Palestinian Islamist movement’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7.

According to Israeli authorities, these unprecedented attacks have resulted in more than 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians, who were often brutally killed, and more than 240 hostages in Gaza.

Israel immediately responded with an intense and continuous artillery and aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas health authorities, almost 8,800 people died, including 3,648 children.

The principle of proportionality

The principle of proportionality is one of the cornerstones of the laws of war defined by the Geneva Conventions. Although civilians and civilian structures must be spared, the death of civilians in armed conflict is not in itself a war crime.

Warring parties can launch proportionate attacks on military targets, knowing that civilians may also be affected.

A crime is committed when the attack is deliberately directed against the civilian population in accordance with the principle of distinction, or when the harm caused to civilians is excessive in relation to the expected military advantage. This last point falls under the proportionality principle invoked by OHCHR.

He himself does not decide whether a war crime has been committed; this decision must be made by the court.

Established in 2002, the ICC is the only independent international court that investigates crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel is not a member of the ICC.

The Israeli military confirmed that the second explosion in Jabalia was the result of an airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Wednesday’s explosion in the Fallujah area of ​​the Jabalia refugee camp was caused by an airstrike, CNN reports. “Earlier today, based on accurate information, IDF warplanes struck the Hamas command complex in Jabalia. We can confirm that Hamas terrorists were eliminated as a result of the attack,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

“Hamas is deliberately building its terrorist infrastructure under, around and inside civilian buildings, deliberately endangering the civilian population of Gaza,” again accuses the IDF, which recalls that it has urged residents of the area in Gaza to leave as part of its efforts to reduce civilian casualties.

With a yellow star on the chest: And Israel blames the UN and talks about the Holocaust

According to the Times of Israel, during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday dedicated to the war between Israel and Hamas, UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan compared the current moment to the Holocaust.

“Some of you haven’t learned anything in the last 80 years. Some of you have forgotten what this body was created for. So, let me remind you. From this day forward, every time you look at me, you will remember what it means to be silent in the face of evil,” said Erdan.

“Like my grandparents and the grandparents of millions of Jews, from now on my team and I will wear yellow stars. We will wear this star until you wake up and condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas.” , – said an Israeli official.

• On the same topic: UN human rights chief resigns over ‘genocide’ in Gaza and blames West