Pars Today

The United Nations human rights chief has called for an end to the Israeli regime's massacre of defenseless people of the Gaza Strip who have taken refuge at schools that are now being used as shelters.

In a statement issued on Sunday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also expressed disbelief following a "horrendous" bout of violence against Palestinian people in Gaza by Israel, which has brought the territory under an all-out genocidal war for more than a month now.

"The massacre of so many people at schools-turned-shelters, [while] hundreds fleeing for their lives from al-Shifa Hospital amid continuing displacement of hundreds of thousands in southern Gaza are actions, which fly in the face of the basic protections civilians must be afforded under international law," the UN rights chief said.

His remarks came a day after more than 200 Palestinians were massacred and injured in an Israeli bombing of al-Fakhoora School, which is affiliated with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Shortly afterwards, the regime targeted Tal al-Zaatar, another school, in the town of Beit Lahia, which is also located in northern Gaza, with another bombing.

"Images purportedly taken in the aftermath of the reported Israeli strike on al-Fakhoora School are horrifying, clearly showing large numbers of women, children, and men severely wounded or martyred. At least, three other schools hosting displaced Palestinians have also been attacked in the past 48 hours," the UN official said.

"Israeli military operations have been continuing inside and around al-Shifa Hospital. UN colleagues visited the site yesterday and witnessed first-hand what they described as a ‘death zone'," Türk added.

"Medical personnel, patients and civilians have fled the hospital, ordered to do so by the Israeli military. Hundreds were seen making their way south on foot at great risk to their lives, health, and safety. And to where? Nowhere is safe in Gaza," he added.

ME