The statement was signed by the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, and her counterparts on Freedom of Expression, Irene Khan, Freedom of Assembly and Association, Gina Romero, and human rights defender Mary Lawlor.
The signatories of the document released today call for justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity and for Palestinians to be able to exercise their right to self-determination.
“We can only hope that this agreement will put an end to the devastating loss of life, genocidal onslaught and violence that has affected millions of people in the occupied Palestinian territory, causing apocalyptic destruction in the Gaza Strip,” the UN experts said in the joint statement.
Expressing dismay that Israel continued its indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza after the agreement was announced, the UN experts stressed that the ceasefire poses major challenges for a territory where 70% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed.
“The immediate priority is to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance, recovery and reparations to those affected,” the experts said.
“Nearly two million people displaced inside Gaza must be allowed to return home and supported to rebuild their lives without fear of ever having to leave their homes or being persecuted.”
The experts called for all journalists, including those from international media outlets, to have free and safe access to Gaza and called for investigations into human rights violations during the 15-month conflict.
“Millions of people directly affected by last year’s brutal violence deserve justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide,” they said, calling on Israel to stop obstructing the work of the International Criminal Court and other accountability bodies.
Meanwhile, the Israeli prime minister announced today that he had "reached an agreement on the release of hostages" held in the Gaza Strip, after accusing Hamas on Thursday of backtracking on points of the agreement.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached for the release of the hostages," the leader's office said in a statement.
The security cabinet is expected to meet today to approve the agreement, it added.
On Thursday, the Israeli prime minister's office accused Hamas of backtracking on key points of the agreement to demand last-minute concessions.
Hamas denied the accusation.
