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Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Intensified Israeli attacks in Gaza
“The Israeli military has intensified its attacks in Gaza in recent days, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians – children, women and men. These attacks have struck residential buildings, at least one tent sheltering internally displaced people, and other crowded areas” Al kheetan said.
“Nine months after the announcement of a ceasefire, still, nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has said that over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since October 2025 by the Israeli military. Our Office has so far verified the killing of over 600 Palestinians since October 2025, including 269 women and children, mostly in Israeli attacks reported across the Gaza strip. Our verification work is ongoing,” he added.
From 13 to 20 July alone, our Office has recorded that the Israeli military killed at least 57 Palestinians, including six children and eight women. Among these victims, 34 were killed far away from the Israeli-imposed “yellow line”.” he said.
On 17 and 18 July, for example, ten Israeli attacks in Gaza City, Middle Gaza, North Gaza and Khan Younes killed at least 21 Palestinians, including four children and three women, according to information gathered by our Office. In one of these attacks, on an apartment in Gaza City, five members of one family, were killed together: both parents and three siblings, reportedly aged eight, 15, and 17.
“The killing of civilians in these attacks raises concerns of continuing violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes in Gaza. Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians is a war crime,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the Palestinian population in Gaza remains trapped in an ever-shrinking area, with the “yellow line” constantly being moved westwards by the Israeli occupying power, presenting a continuous threat to life as the Israeli military appears to routinely fire on Palestinians for mere presence in the vicinity of that line, in violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” he stated.
“The violations, the suffering and the misery that continue to be imposed on the Palestinians in Gaza cannot be ignored. Third States must take urgent action to insist on full respect for the ceasefire, to put an end to all violations, and to ensure accountability and justice,” the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights said.
END
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva:
Ravina Shamdasani: + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan: + 41 76 223 77 62 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org
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SHOTLIST
- Exterior shot: Palais des Nations
- Interior shot: Press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The Israeli military has intensified its attacks in Gaza in recent days, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians – children, women and men. These attacks have struck residential buildings, at least one tent sheltering internally displaced people, and other crowded areas.”
- Cutaway: Press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):” Nine months after the announcement of a ceasefire, still, nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has said that over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since October 2025 by the Israeli military. Our Office has so far verified the killing of over 600 Palestinians since October 2025, including 269 women and children, mostly in Israeli attacks reported across the Gaza strip. Our verification work is ongoing.”
- Cutaway: Press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):” From 13 to 20 July alone, our Office has recorded that the Israeli military killed at least 57 Palestinians, including six children and eight women. Among these victims, 34 were killed far away from the Israeli-imposed “yellow line”.”
- Cutaway: Press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The killing of civilians in these attacks raises concerns of continuing violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes in Gaza. Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians is a war crime.”
- Cutaway: Press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):” Meanwhile, the Palestinian population in Gaza remains trapped in an ever-shrinking area, with the “yellow line” constantly being moved westwards by the Israeli occupying power, presenting a continuous threat to life as the Israeli military appears to routinely fire on Palestinians for mere presence in the vicinity of that line, in violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”
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