UN experts warn of ‘annihilation’ in Gaza as Israeli strikes kill dozens
Dozens more Palestinians have died in attacks as Israel’s plans for an expanded offence draws international condemnation
UN experts demanded action on Wednesday to avert the “annihilation” of Palestinians in Gaza, as rescuers said Israeli strikes across the territory killed dozens of people.
A planned expanded offensive revealed by the Israeli military has drawn international condemnation, after UN agencies previously warned of humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory already devastated by 19 months of war.
More than 20 independent United Nations experts said the world faced a “stark decision” to “remain passive and witness the slaughter of innocents or take part in crafting a just resolution”.
The experts implored the international community to avert the “moral abyss we are descending into”.
Israel’s broader offensive, approved by the government amid a two-month aid blockade on Gaza, would include displacing “most” of its residents, the military has said.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called the situation in Gaza “the most critical we have ever seen”.