Employees of the Upper United Nations Commissioner (UN) signed a letter asking the agency to recognize Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip as “genocide.” The document was signed by about 500 board members and states that silence can undermine the international credibility of human rights protection.
The document also recalls Rwanda genocide in 1994, pointing out that the UN could have made a “greater effort” to avoid worsening the situation. The agenda is treated as sensitive by the international community, and Israel countered criticism of humanitarian crisis stating that there is no hunger and that allows the entry of essential supplies.
However, images show a scenario of destruction in the enclave, with devastated neighborhoods in bombing, malnourished people and forced displacement of the population. Countries try to help by sending assistance, but the measure is classified as insufficient. According to the international press, about 62,000 Palestinians died in almost two years of war in the Gaza Strip.
