
Palestinians who returned briefly to the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip to check on their homes, run for cover after a school was hit by an Israeli strike. AFP
"International humanitarian law comprises a set of universal and binding rules to protect civilian objects and persons who are not, or are no longer, directly participating in hostilities and limits permissible means and methods of warfare," the 11 experts said in a joint statement.
"Rather than abide by these rules, Israel has openly defied international law time and again, inflicting maximum suffering on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
"Israel continues to face no real consequences, largely due to protection offered by its allies."
Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 45,500 people, a majority of them women and children.
The experts highlighted crimes against humanity committed by Israel "including murder, torture, sexual violence, and repeated forced displacement amounting to forcible transfer".
They also noted Israeli war crimes including "indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects... the use of starvation as a weapon of war" and "collective punishment".
They said civilians were protected persons and did not constitute military objectives under international law.
"Acts aimed at their destruction in whole or in part are genocidal," they added.
'Dangerous message'
The experts called for urgent, independent and thorough investigations into alleged serious violations of international law.
"Israel's continued impunity sends a dangerous message... Israel and its leaders must be held accountable," they said.
The experts said they were particularly alarmed by Israel's operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
Since October 6 this year, Israeli operations in Gaza have focused on the north.
"This siege, coupled with expanding evacuation orders, appears intended to permanently displace the local population as a precursor to Gaza's annexation," the experts said.
UN rights experts are independent figures mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not therefore speak for the United Nations itself.
The 11 experts included the special rapporteurs on internally displaced persons; cultural rights; education; physical and mental health; arbitrary executions; the right to food; and protecting rights while countering terrorism.
Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, was also among the experts.
Israel has demanded her removal, branding her a "political activist" abusing her mandate "to hide her hatred for Israel".
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