The UN Human Rights Office said that under international humanitarian law, it is strictly prohibited to attack objects vital to the survival of the civilian population, including water reservoirs.
The UN office’s statement referred to Israel’s bombing of a drinking water reservoir for Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
“It is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law to attack civilian objects,” said UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Monday (29/7).
Laurence criticized Israel’s lack of ability to ensure accountability under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL), and argued for the need for international action to ensure that accountability is enforced.
“The Human Rights Office has not received any information about any investigation by Israel into the specific incident of the destruction of the water reserves,” he said.
He also stressed that given Israel’s well-documented failure to ensure accountability for serious violations of IHL and IHRL, an international solution is essential to address the long-standing accountability gap.
Also read: Bombardment of UNRWA Headquarters, Israeli Military Claims to Kill Hamas Officials
Activists recently circulated a video on social media showing an Israeli soldier planting an explosive device in Tal al-Sultan’s main reservoir which was then detonated.
The Israeli army on Monday (July 29) admitted its soldiers were responsible for the bombing of a water reservoir in Tal al-Sultan. One of the soldiers posted a video of the explosion on social media with the caption Destruction of Tel Sultan reservoir in honor of Shabbat, according to Israeli daily Haaretz. An investigation into the incident has also been launched.
Meanwhile, local institutions and cities in the Gaza Strip have repeatedly accused the Israeli military of deliberately destroying water networks, wells and desalination plants, exacerbating the drinking water crisis.
In addition, fuel restrictions imposed by Israel have further hampered the operation of the remaining desalination facilities in the region. (Ant/Z-1)
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