The Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the escalation of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip which led to a heinous crime which claimed until now the lives of 1948 people, mostly civilians, including 456 children. The commission issued today the following statement: The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of the on-going Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in "Gaza strip", leading to the horrendous crime of over 1948 casualties, majority of whom, including 456 children, were civilians. "We hold Israel, the occupying power, solely responsible for the indiscriminate and criminal use of force leading to gross human rights violations against the civilian population of Gaza strip, including through targeting of civilian residential areas, hospitals and medical personnel as well as UN schools and shelters", the Commission added. Referring to these acts, the Commission stressed that the indiscriminate targeting of civilians as was done by Israelis, constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity, which couldn't be justified under any circumstances. It called upon Israel, the occupying power, to put an immediate end to its unlawful and unjust military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories. IPHRC noted that the use of heavy artillery by air, land and sea has led to the destruction of thousands of civilian homes causing internal displacement of over 450000 Palestinians within the already densely populated Gaza strip hence exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis in that area, which is already under Israeli siege for the last eight years. The Commission shared international community's deep concern over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including the lack of access to water, food, sanitation and electricity as well as much needed medical supplies. It emphasized that under international humanitarian law, Israel, as the occupying power, bears the prime responsibility for ensuring the protection of all civilians in Gaza and ensuring that their basic needs are met. --More 14:17 LOCAL TIME 11:17 GMT تغريد
