UN warns companies supplying weapons to Israel

The group of 30 experts, including several UN Special Rapporteurs, said arms manufacturers supplying Israel should stop transferring war equipment to the country, "even if they are done under existing export licenses".

Israel's war destroyed almost the entire Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

“These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law,” the experts said in a statement.

UN experts said on Wednesday the risks to arms companies have increased since the International Court of Justice (IJC) ordered Israel last month to halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah, in an emergency ruling in South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide.

“In this context, continued arms transfers to Israel could be considered as deliberately providing support for activities that violate international human rights and international humanitarian law, and possibly benefiting from such support,” the experts said.

The United Nations human rights office said on Wednesday that Israeli forces may have repeatedly violated the laws of war and failed to distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters during the conflict in Gaza.

According to Gaza health authorities, Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 37,400 Palestinians in the cramped and completely isolated territory, the majority of them women and children.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nhom-chuyen-gia-lien-hop-quoc-canh-bao-cac-cong-ty-cung-cap-vu-khi-cho-israel-post300167.html