GENEVA: Experts associated with the United Nations have condemned ‘violent acts’ carried out at the behest of the Israeli military, against women and children, as the Israeli onslaught on Gaza continues.

Experts said such acts were “unacceptable” and particularly drew attention to instances of sexual violence and enforced disappearances.

“We are appalled that women are being targeted by Israel with such vicious, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, seemingly sparing no means to destroy their lives and deny them their fundamental human rights” the seven special rapporteurs said in a statement.

Special rapporteurs are independent experts who are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.

The world body expresses concern over several reports citing enforced disappearances of children and women

The statement pinpointed “continued reports of sexual assault and violence against women and girls, including against those detained by Israeli occupation forces”.

UN reports were cited which state that women and girls in Gaza were made ‘victims’ of enforced disappearances.

In response, the Israeli mission in Geneva alleged the experts had “once again chosen to ignore Hamas’s systematic militarisation of health facilities and civilian infrastructures in the Gaza Strip, voluntarily and actively using the population as human shields”.

“In issuing such a statement, the signatories try to create an alternative narrative, parroting the agenda of a terrorist organisation that is actively destroying the lives of the Palestinian population in Gaza” the Israeli mission stated.

‘Direct bombardment of hospitals’

The UN experts raised concerns regarding Israel’s widespread destruction of residential properties in Gaza. They said that Palestinians have been forced to reside in “precarious” conditions, with specific reference to the fact that makeshift tents have had a disproportionate impact on the lives’ of women and girls, especially on their personal security and privacy.

“The treatment of pregnant and lactating women continues to be appalling, with the direct bombardment of hospitals and deliberate denial of access to health care facilities by Israeli snipers” they added.

More than 180 women a day have delivered children without access to any sort of pain relief, whilst hundreds of babies have died due to electricity shortages, which are essential for incubators, they said.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024