Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, has stated that the destruction in Gaza is unprecedented, affecting 70% of homes, and could constitute an act of genocide.
These remarks were made during his participation in the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Rajagopal criticized Israel’s actions as being “against order in every sense,” especially after the International Court of Justice’s precautionary measures against Israel on January 26, which ruled that Israel should not engage in acts that could be considered genocide.
He highlighted that Israel’s targeted attacks resulted in significant death and destruction, amounting to violations of international law.
Rajagopal noted a grim evolution from what started as an armed conflict with routine violations of war laws to crimes against humanity and now acts of genocide.
He emphasized the unparalleled scale of destruction in Gaza compared to other recent conflicts in cities like Aleppo in Syria, Mariupol in Ukraine, and other devastated cities throughout history.
According to him, 70% of homes across Gaza have been destroyed, with the figure rising to 80% in the northern part of the enclave, in addition to the complete demolition of civil infrastructure.
The UN has issued an urgent warning that over half a million individuals in the Gaza Strip are on the brink of famine, with children dying of starvation.
Martin Griffiths, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator, emphasized the dire situation in a statement released on his X platform account, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and strict adherence to the laws of war.
He also advocated for the establishment of additional entry points and supply routes, along with enhanced protection for humanitarian aid convoys.
In a distressing development, Voice of Palestine radio reported that Israeli tanks had encircled hundreds of Palestinians at the Al-Nabulsi roundabout in West Gaza, who were then subjected to gunfire while awaiting aid deliveries.
