Geneva, May 27 (SANA) The U.N. human rights office expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the growing number of Palestinians killed near the ceasefire boundary, known as the “yellow line”, in the Gaza Strip, warning that the incidents could amount to unlawful killings and possible war crimes.
The office said nearly one-third of Palestinians killed since the ceasefire took effect in October had died in areas close to the truce line, according to Reuters.
Ajith Sunghay, Head of UN Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said available information suggested Israeli forces may have opened fire on civilians simply for approaching the area.
“Many of those killed did not pose an imminent threat to the lives of Israeli soldiers,” Sunghay said.
He added that the lack of clarity over the boundaries of the zone was increasing the danger for civilians.
“No one knows exactly where this area begins and ends, and its boundaries are constantly changing,” he said.
The United Nations said it had documented 453 killings between the start of the ceasefire and 5 Feb.
MHD