Israel’s actions in Gaza ‘disproportionate and cannot be justified': UN official

UN humanitarian coordinator Lynn Hastings has condemned the assaults on human rights on both Palestinians and Israelis as the world marked International Human Rights on Sunday.

Hastings called for the unconditional release of captives held by Hamas, while criticising Israel's "disproportionate" actions in Gaza.

"The air strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure... cannot be justified. Nor can the siege, depriving the entire Gaza population of food, water, healthcare and hygiene," she wrote in a statement.

"In 2023, I should not have to issue such a statement. It is as if we have learnt nothing in the past 75 years," Hastings wrote.