UN Condemns Israeli Violence in Jenin, Calls for Compliance with International Law

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Israeli violence and excessive use of force in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin earlier this week, and called on Tel Aviv to comply with its obligations under international law.

“Israeli air strikes and ground operations in an overcrowded refugee camp were the worst acts of violence in the West Bank in many years, and had a huge impact on civilians, including more than 100 injured and thousands forced to flee,” Antonio Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters. in New York.

“I strongly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including terrorist acts,” he said.

“This applies to all uses of excessive force,” he said when asked by Anadolu Agency if it applied to Israel specifically. “Clearly, in this case, there was excessive force used by Israeli forces.”

Guterres called on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the duty to exercise restraint, use proportionate force, the duty to minimize harm and injury, and to respect and preserve life.

“The use of airstrikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations,” he said.

Guterres said that Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility to protect the civilian population.

He acknowledged Israel’s security concerns but said escalation was not the solution.

“It simply promotes extremism and deepens the cycle of violence and bloodshed,” he said.

Guterres said it was not “realistic” to send a military force to Israel.

I do not think that the Israeli government will agree to this possibility, but we need to find mechanisms to protect civilians in these tragic circumstances.”

The Israeli army withdrew from the city of Jenin in the early hours of Wednesday morning, concluding its largest military operation in the city in more than 20 years.

At least 12 Palestinians, including five children, were killed and more than 140 injured in the attack, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The raid, which began on Monday, also left a trail of destruction across the West Bank city, destroying dozens of homes, vehicles, shops and service lines.