UN Human Rights Council Calls for Halt in Arms Sales to Israel
The UN Human Rights Council has made a crucial demand for a stop in all arms sales to Israel. This move comes amidst severe warnings of potential genocide in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has tragically claimed the lives of over 33,000 people.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, stating that it has brought nothing but continued death and destruction to the already besieged Palestinian territory.
In a recent resolution presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the 47-member UNHRC highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, pointing out that Israel was resorting to using civilian starvation as a method of warfare. The resolution, adopted by 28 to 6 votes with 13 abstentions, called for an immediate cessation of arms sales to Israel to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses.
Various countries, including Brazil, China, Luxembourg, Malaysia, and South Africa, supported the resolution, emphasizing the need to put an end to egregious human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
UN chief Guterres expressed deep concern over the significant loss of lives in Gaza, with more than 33,000 people killed and 75,000 others injured, primarily women and children. He urged Israel to allow a significant increase in aid to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis, where over a million individuals are facing catastrophic hunger.
Guterres also raised alarm over reports suggesting that Israel had utilized artificial intelligence in identifying targets during the bombing campaign in Gaza. He cautioned against using AI for military purposes on a large scale, emphasizing the importance of accountability and adherence to international law.
As the conflict persists, the UN chief underscored the urgency of improving aid delivery to Gaza and implementing meaningful changes in military strategies to prevent further loss of life and suffering. Failure to address the humanitarian crisis adequately could have disastrous consequences, necessitating a paradigm shift in the approach to aiding those in need in the region.
In the face of escalating violence and mounting casualties, efforts to bring about sustainable peace and alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped in the conflict zone remain a top priority for the international community.
