The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution demanding that Israel take immediate action to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip. During its 58th session on Wednesday, the council voted with 27 in favor, 4 against, and 16 abstentions.
The resolution deplores Israel’s violations of ceasefire agreements and calls on the nation to fully uphold its commitments. It condemns the use of starvation as a method of warfare, the unlawful denial of humanitarian access, and the obstruction of relief supplies essential for civilian survival, including food, water, electricity, fuel, and telecommunications.
Expressing grave concern over statements by Israeli officials that could amount to incitement to genocide, the resolution demands that Israel fulfill its legal obligations to prevent such atrocities. It also sets forth a series of demands, including ensuring unimpeded humanitarian assistance, restoring the supply of essential goods to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and allowing displaced Palestinians to return to all areas of the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, the resolution calls on the UN General Assembly to establish an international, impartial, and independent mechanism to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed during the conflict.
Israel, having announced in February that it would not participate in the UNHRC, was not present at the meeting where the resolution was adopted.
Escalating Tensions in Gaza
Amid the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military on Wednesday ordered civilians in multiple areas of the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate immediately, citing intercepted rocket fire from the Palestinian territory. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents to move west towards shelters in Gaza City, accusing militant organizations of launching attacks from within civilian populations.
Earlier, Israel’s military reported intercepting two rockets fired from northern Gaza, with air raid sirens sounding in nearby communities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a territorial expansion in southern Gaza, stating that troops were seizing land to establish a new security corridor.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said forces had begun taking control of the area between Khan Younis and Rafah, referring to it as a “second Philadelphi Corridor” similar to the buffer zone along Gaza’s border with Egypt. “We are slicing up the enclave,” he declared, vowing to continue targeting militants and dismantling infrastructure.
Regional Impact
Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed airstrikes in Syria targeting what they claimed were military bases in Homs and Hama, as well as infrastructure near Damascus. The IDF stated that the strikes were in response to “threats against Israeli civilians.”
Syrian state news agency SANA reported strikes on an airport in Hama and areas near a scientific research center in Damascus’ Barzeh neighborhood.
Israel resumed large-scale air and ground operations in Gaza on March 18 after weeks of blocking food and fuel deliveries into the Palestinian territory. Gaza’s health authorities reported over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,500 wounded since the renewed offensive, bringing the total death toll to over 50,000 with more than 100,000 injured since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
