26-04-2006 Press Release 06/36 Israel / occupied and autonomous Palestinian territories : Civilians must be spared in all circumstances Geneva/Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is alarmed by the number of civilians killed or injured during attacks and military operations in Israel and in the occupied and autonomous territories over recent weeks. The last two suicide bomb attacks, in Kedumim in the West Bank on 30 March and in Tel Aviv on 17 April, claimed the lives of 15 civilians and wounded more than 50 others. Other acts of violence such as the launching of Qassam rockets into Israel are also endangering civilian lives. As a result of Israeli military operations during the past weeks – particularly the shelling of the Gaza Strip – a number of civilians, including two children, lost their lives and many others were wounded. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, and acts of violence intended to spread terror among the civilian population. Indiscriminate attacks are also prohibited under this body of law, which requires that a strict distinction be made between the civilian population and military objectives. The ICRC calls on all those involved in the conflict to spare and protect civilians, and insists that all those concerned respect and ensure respect for the rules and principles of international humanitarian law in all circumstances. Civilians must not pay the price of conflict; any civilian loss of life, on either side, further fuels the conflict and generates more loss, suffering and grief. The ICRC remains committed to pursuing its humanitarian work in Israel and in the occupied and autonomous territories. For further information, please contact: |
Download Document Files: https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/0636f.pdf https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/0636s.pdf
Document Type: French text, Press Release, Spanish text
Document Sources: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Subject: Incidents, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 26/04/2006