The Himaya Human Rights Center condemned in the strongest terms the shelling that targeted civilian government employees in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis governorate in the southern Gaza Strip, which resulted in the killing of four employees and the injury of more than 30 others.
In a statement on Thursday, the center affirmed that targeting civilian employees while they perform their job and service duties renews its concerns, and those of local rights bodies, regarding respect for the rules of international humanitarian law.
It warned of the serious repercussions of the occupation forces' repeated targeting of civilian crews carrying out tasks related to organizing public life and protecting society, given the resulting undermining of basic services and the deepening of chaos and humanitarian collapse in the Gaza Strip in a way that affects societal and civil peace and the safety of crews working in various relief fields.
It stressed the need for an independent and effective international investigation into the circumstances of the attack, the determination of responsibility for it, and ensuring accountability for all those proven responsible for committing violations of international humanitarian law, including international crimes when their legal elements are met.
The center called on the international community and the parties guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to move urgently to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian crews and to stop attacks that endanger their lives.
It urged the competent international bodies to follow up on and document the incident and to ensure the preservation of relevant evidence in preparation for legal accountability.
It urged the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the relevant authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of civilian employees and the continuation of basic services without exposing workers to additional risks.
It appealed to the states parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations to respect international humanitarian law and ensure respect for it.
The center affirmed that the protection of civilians and public service workers is not a political matter or a privilege granted by the parties to Palestinian employees, including security personnel, especially police force members, but a legal obligation imposed by the rules of international humanitarian law.
