UN chief says Israel ‘obviously’ used ‘excessive force’ in Jenin operation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Israel used excessive force in the counter-terrorism operation in Jenin last week.
He said he was “deeply disturbed” by news of the operation and “strongly condemns all acts of violence against civilians”.
Asked if his condemnation applies to both sides of the conflict, Guterres says it “applies to all use of excessive force, and obviously in this situation there was excessive force used by Israeli forces.”
“The Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians,” Guterres says.
Palestinians inspect a damaged house in the Jenin refugee camp on July 5, 2023, after the Israeli army withdrew its forces from the militant stronghold. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
“I once again call on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law, including the duty to exercise restraint and use only proportionate force,” he says. “The use of airstrikes is incompatible with the conduct of law enforcement operations.”
“I understand Israel’s legitimate concerns about its security, but escalation is not the answer,” he adds. “It simply reinforces radicalization and leads to a deeper cycle of violence and bloodshed.”
The Israeli operation was in response to a series of deadly terrorist attacks, many originating in and around Jenin. The IDF says all 12 Palestinian fatalities were combatants, and most have been claimed by terrorist groups.
Yesterday, the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinians, Francesca Albanese, accused Israel of committing war crimes during the Jenin operation. Albanese has a history of anti-Semitism and inflammatory rhetoric against the Jewish state.
Asked about the allegations of war crimes, Guterres avoids answering.
