The UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said that “Israel” has no legal authority to prevent humanitarian organizations and aid workers from entering the Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories.
In a post on her X account last night, Albanese called on countries to suspend their ties with “Israel” until it complies with international law, considering such a step as the starting point for achieving peace.
“Israel has no legal authority to bar humanitarian workers from Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. The occupation is illegal and must end, completely and unconditionally (ICJ 2024). States must suspend ties until Israel complies with international law. That is the starting point for peace,” she said.
In a related context, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini condemned Israeli authorities for refusing to renew the entry visa of the UNOCHA spokesperson for Gaza.
“The latest visa non-renewal of the UNOCHA spokesperson for Gaza follows a pattern of actively silencing aid workers from the UN and international NGOs who are considered ‘too vocal’ about what they have seen on the ground,” Lazzarini said on Wednesday.
“Humanitarian workers have a duty to bear witness when international law is being broken,” he added.
