Statement issued by the Department of Human Rights & Civil Society in the Palestine Liberation Organization.

الموقع الاخباري الرسمي لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية

Statement issued by the Department of Human Rights & Civil Society in the Palestine Liberation Organization.

January 20, 2025

In light of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip due to the aggressive Israeli policies and the ongoing blockade, the Department of Human Rights and Civil Society of the P.L.O expresses its deep concern over the deterioration of humanitarian conditions and the grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The Dept. of HRCS calls for immediate and comprehensive action to address this escalating humanitarian disaster. In this context, the Department emphasize the following:

1. The entry of forensic teams and criminal examination experts into the Gaza Strip

The department demands the immediate and unconditional entry of forensic teams and criminal examination experts into Gaza Strip, to ensure the identification of decomposed bodies and to uncover the fate of the missing Palestinian martyrs’ bodies under the rubbles and the ones the Israeli occupation forces handed to the medical teams without identities. This demand is based on Article 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, where the occupying power has the duty of ensuring medical and humanitarian services for the civilian population.

2. Supporting local rescue teams with the necessary technical equipment

There is an urgent need to provide the necessary equipment and tools to support local rescue teams in retrieving the bodies of the victims from under the rubble, in accordance with Article 30 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which guarantees the right of civilians to receive medical and humanitarian assistance.

3. Cooperation with the National Emergency Committee

The Department offers its full readiness to cooperate with the National Emergency Committee formed by the Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa and presented to His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, to ensure coordination of efforts and urgent response to the pressing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip. This cooperation comes within the framework of strengthening and enhancing national and international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.

4. Documenting the Israeli crimes and using them as legal evidence

The department emphasizes the importance of documenting the condition of the corpses and the sites that were targeted as legal evidence that can be used to hold the perpetrators of crimes accountable before international courts, based on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

5. Uncover the fate of the missing and ensure the right of families to know the truth

Reports estimate that there are more than 11,000 missing persons in Gaza, including martyrs under the rubble and those forcibly disappeared in Israeli prisons. The department calls for intensive efforts to determine their fate, based on Article 32 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.

6. Sending independent international investigative missions

The department calls on the International Criminal Court and international human rights organizations to send specialized missions to conduct independent and comprehensive investigations in the Gaza Strip, and to collect evidence in a professional and independent manner, in accordance with Article 13 of the Rome Statute.

7. Lifting Israeli restrictions on closed areas

The department condemns the continued Israeli military presence in the closed areas, which hinders the access of rescue teams and medical teams. It demands the immediate lifting of these restrictions, in accordance with Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

8. Revealing the locations of mass graves

The department calls for the disclosure of sites suspected of containing mass graves and conducting investigations under the supervision of international experts to ensure the protection of evidence and prevent its destruction, based on Article 34 of Additional Protocol I.

9. Respecting the dignity of the deceased and providing them with a proper burial

The department emphasizes the importance of accelerating and expediting efforts to recover the bodies of the victims and allowing their families to bury their loved ones with dignity and in accordance with their beliefs, in implementation of Article 16 of the First Geneva Convention.

10. Unifying the efforts of international jurists & lawyers

The department calls on all international jurists & legal professionals and human rights organizations to unite their efforts to document Israeli crimes and violations, and to prepare comprehensive integrated legal files to hold the perpetrators accountable before international courts. It also calls on them to be ready to head to the Gaza Strip when conditions are suitable, allowed and available, to provide field and legal support.

11. An appeal to the international community for immediate action

The Department calls on the international community to take urgent action to end this humanitarian catastrophe, to exert and impose effective pressure on Israel to stop its violations, and to hold it accountable for the crimes committed against Palestinian civilians, in line with the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.

The Dept. of HRSC affirms that what is happening and taking place in the Gaza Strip constitutes a war crime that requires urgent action from the international community, and calls on all parties to stand by the Palestinian people in their plight and support their efforts to restore their legitimate rights.

Department of Human Rights and Civil Society

Palestine Liberation Organization