Israeli officials are reportedly working to block a UN investigating team from looking into and reporting on war crimes committed during Tel Aviv’s May 2021 siege on the occupied Gaza Strip.
In remarks made in a letter delivered to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meirav Eilon Shahar said that “there is simply no reason to believe that Israel will receive reasonable, equitable, and non-discriminatory treatment from the Council, or from this Commission of Inquiry.”
The letter addressed to the Commission of Inquiry’s (COI) head Navi Pillay added that “This COI is sure to be yet another sorry chapter in the efforts to demonize Israel.”
The May 2021 war on Gaza took place after uprisings in the Jerusalem-adjacent town of Sheikh Jarrah and against the backdrop of the Israeli occupation forces’ aggression against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa mosque.
The Israeli blitz on the densely populated Gaza Strip, taking place over 11 days, left at least 248 Palestinians dead. The siege was the fourth of its kind against Gaza, with previous campaigns of indiscriminate shelling taking place sin 2008, in 2012, and in the summer of 2014.
Over 60 children were killed during last May’s war, and at least 1,200 Palestinians were wounded.
Former UN Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet said during that Israel’s actions, which included airstrikes in civilian areas, may have constituted war crimes.
In late December, a 125-nation majority voted in favor of launching a war crime investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against Israel, which included the 11-day May 2021 siege.