AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has strongly condemned the recent wave of violence in Al-Fashar, urging both sides to stop fighting and open corridors for humanitarian aid.

But on the ground, the situation is heartbreaking. The UN says civilians are enduring unimaginable suffering, from mass killings and sexual violence to starvation and forced disappearances under the Rapid Support Forces’ siege.

Tensions are also rising internationally. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York , Sudan accused the United Arab Emirates of secretly funding and arming the RSF. The UAE rejected the claim, instead blaming Sudan’s army for stalling peace efforts.

Both the AU and UN now face growing frustration over slow progress. While AU mediators work to revive peace talks, the UN continues to push for access to deliver aid and hold perpetrators accountable.

For millions of Sudanese people trapped in this nightmare, hope feels distant. Observers warn that the coming days could reveal whether the AU and UN can still make a difference, or if they’ll once again stand by as another humanitarian disaster unfolds.

According to current data , Israel is recognised by around 163 of the 192 United Nations member states, roughly 83% of UN members.

Recognition of Israel has grown steadily since its founding in 1948. With the UN admission in 1949, many states established full diplomatic ties early on. However, 30-odd countries still formally do not recognise Israel, most of them Muslim-majority nations in Africa and Asia.

The green-coloured countries on the map indicate those that recognise Israel. Overwhelmingly, that includes Western Europe , the Americas (with only a few exceptions), and large parts of Africa and Asia.

According to a data table from World Population Review, for example, in Asia alone, many recognisers include India, China, Japan, Thailand and Japan.

In the Americas, the list of recognisers grows: countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru all recognise Israel. On the African continent, recognisers include Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa.

By contrast, the handful of red or dark-shaded states show those that do not recognise Israel or have withdrawn recognition. These include countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen in the Middle East; Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malaysia in South Asia ; and North Korea and Cuba elsewhere.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed a diverse group of princes, scholars, ministers, and citizens at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where the gathering began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Discussions centred on national and regional developments, reflecting the Crown Prince’s ongoing engagement with Saudi society. These regular interactions highlight the government’s commitment to open dialogue and to reinforcing unity within the Kingdom’s leadership and people.

Saudi Arabia and the United Nations discuss ways to revive Libya’s political roadmap

In a show of active diplomacy, Saudi Arabia met with United Nations representatives to explore ways to reinvigorate Libya’s political roadmap. Talks focused on unifying national institutions and organising elections to ensure long-term stability. The UN commended Riyadh’s support for peace and development, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing role as a mediator in regional affairs. This engagement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader foreign policy objective of promoting security and development across the Middle East and North Africa.

Crown Prince congratulates Japan’s new premier

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended congratulations to Sanae Takaichi, who recently became Japan’s first female prime minister. The Crown Prince’s message acknowledged the significance of the milestone in Japan’s political landscape and expressed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to strengthen bilateral relations. The congratulatory note reflects the Kingdom’s increasing focus on building ties with global partners beyond its traditional regional alliances.

Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for global security and peace

During a recent cabinet meeting chaired by the Crown Prince, the Saudi government reiterated its commitment to regional and international cooperation for global peace and stability. The meeting included discussions on Vision 2030 projects , which aim to diversify the Saudi economy and boost innovation, as well as the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This emphasis on diplomacy and aid highlights Riyadh’s strategic balancing of internal development and external engagement.

Crown Prince briefs cabinet on Gaza following call with Macron

Following a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Saudi cabinet on the latest developments in Gaza. The cabinet reiterated its call for a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the region, while also reviewing ongoing Vision 2030 initiatives. This discussion illustrates Saudi Arabia’s dual approach—advocating for peace in global conflicts while maintaining a steady focus on domestic modernisation and reform.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) classifies economies mainly as advanced or emerging, or developing based on income, industrialisation, and integration into the global financial system.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) tracks the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs), nations facing the toughest structural barriers to growth. According to the UN’s 2024 list, 44 countries currently fall into this category, most of them in Africa and Asia.

LDC status depends on three main criteria: low income per capita, weak human capital (education, health, nutrition), and high vulnerability to external shocks such as conflict, climate disasters, or market fluctuations.

While many middle-income and developing nations have made progress in poverty reduction, the gap between rich and poor countries remains significant.

The map reflects this divide clearly. Developed nations, concentrated in North America, Western Europe, East Asia, and Oceania, enjoy strong institutions, diversified economies, and advanced industries.

Developing countries, stretching across Latin America, Asia, and parts of Africa, are experiencing rapid but uneven growth. Least developed countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, continue to struggle with fragile economies and dependence on commodity exports.

These classifications are not merely academic. They shape access to international aid, trade privileges, and debt relief. LDCs, for instance, qualify for special trade preferences under the World Trade Organisation’s “Everything But Arms” initiative and receive concessional loans from global institutions.

But the boundaries between categories are shifting. The IMF’s 2025 World Economic Outlook highlights that several developing nations, including Vietnam, India, and Kenya, are seeing sustained growth and digital transformation that could accelerate their graduation from lower-income status.

Still, global inequality remains stubborn. The G20, meeting in October 2025, reaffirmed that developing nations’ debt burdens remain one of the biggest threats to stability, urging wealthier economies to maintain relief and restructuring programs.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Several LDCs are on track to graduate from the UN’s list in the next decade, including Angola and Bangladesh, after years of steady economic growth and investment in education.

According to the graphic sourced from UN 2024 data, Africa’s median age sits at about 19.3 years, making it by far the youngest continent. Europe leads in age, with a median of 42.7 years.

Meanwhile, North America is 38.7, Asia is 32.5, South America is 31.7, and Australia/Oceania is 33.3. The contrast highlights how differently regions face the twin forces of youthful populations and ageing societies.

This map is more than visual: it reflects the demographic pressures reshaping global economics, politics , and social systems. Let’s unpack what these differences mean — and why they matter today.

Why Africa remains so young

Africa’s median age of about 19 means that most of its population remains in childhood or youth. This youthful demographic is a legacy of high birth rates and improving child survival, even as life expectancy has been rising globally.

It also places Africa in a moment of potential advantage, often called a “demographic dividend”, where a large cohort of working-age people could drive growth, innovation, and productivity, if the right investments are made in education, health, and jobs.

But this opportunity is not automatic. Without matching growth in infrastructure , education, and employment, Africa instead faces youth unemployment, social instability, and pressure on public services.

The median-age map makes clear just how concentrated the world’s youngest populations are and how urgent it is for African nations to capitalise on youth potential.

Europe’s ageing profile

Europe’s median age of 42.7 signals its deep transition: fertility well below replacement levels, rising life expectancy, and a shrinking younger cohort. This demographic structure intensifies pressure on pensions, healthcare systems, eldercare, and social safety nets. As Europe ages, fewer workers must support more retirees.

Yet even within Europe, disparities are growing. Some countries, especially in Eastern Europe, are facing sharper population decline and brain drain, while others wrestle with integrating migrants to balance age structures.

A recent analysis from the Bruegel think tank suggests that Europe’s ageing burden may be more manageable than often assumed, projecting only modest increases in age-related public spending through 2070. Still, the structural challenge remains significant.

Global ageing

The world is getting older, everywhere. UN projections show that by mid-century, people aged 60 and over will more than double, making up a much larger slice of the global population.

In developed economies, this trend is already clear: working-age ratios (people aged 15–64) have shrunk over time and will keep falling. The Path to 2075 report projects that median ages in “developed markets” will climb toward 47 years by 2075, while in “emerging markets” they’ll approach 40.

Health systems, retirement systems, and labour markets all strain under this shift. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that as more people live into their 80s and beyond, chronic diseases, care dependency, and related costs will grow.

According to current estimates, about 15,000 Israeli troops are active in Gaza, alongside roughly 5,000 Hamas fighters. President Prabowo’s proposed deployment would not only outnumber both but would also signal Indonesia’s emergence as a global peace broker willing to match words with action.

Although the leader's offer was bold, it was also conditional. He stated that Indonesia stands ready to send 20,000 or more troops to Gaza “if and when the UN Security Council and this great Assembly decide.”

Currently, Indonesia is already one of the world’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 2,700 personnel deployed across various operations. The president’s new pledge would multiply that commitment almost tenfold, positioning Indonesia as one of the UN’s most significant peacekeeping forces.

However, Prabowo’s statement came with a clear diplomatic condition: Indonesia would consider recognising Israel only when Israel formally acknowledges Palestinian statehood.

This nuanced stance underscores Jakarta’s support for a two-state solution , emphasising that peace must guarantee both Israeli security and Palestinian sovereignty.

The proposal has stirred debate both internationally and domestically. While some critics suggest it could soften Indonesia’s traditionally strong pro-Palestinian stance, others see it as a pragmatic step toward elevating the country’s global diplomatic influence.

This aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s recent push for renewed multilateral dialogue during his visit to Jakarta earlier this year, where France and Indonesia jointly voiced support for mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine.

A map shared by The World in Maps visually captures the moment: a sea of green stretches across much of the globe, with nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America largely backing the resolution. Only a handful of countries, including the United States, Israel, and Argentina, voted against.

A small cluster abstained or did not vote, underscoring how isolated the opposition has become.

The resolution is ambitious. Drafted by France and Saudi Arabia, it calls for “timebound, tangible, irreversible steps” toward Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.

It condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, demands the release of hostages, and urges an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The text also envisions reforms to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and limit Hamas’s role in governance .

Several Western countries, including Belgium, France, Canada, and Australia, have announced plans to formally recognise Palestine in the coming months. Germany publicly backed the resolution, calling it “a step toward lasting peace".

The vote has also rippled through global markets. Oil prices have ticked upward as traders weigh the potential for renewed instability in the region, and safe-haven assets such as gold and U.S. Treasuries are seeing increased demand.

Emerging market currencies in the Middle East have faced pressure, as investors brace for potential sanctions, new aid flows, or shifts in trade routes. Defence and security stocks have climbed on expectations of heightened security spending.

What happens next could be decisive. A high-level UN General Assembly meeting scheduled for later this month is expected to bring more nations to the table, with some potentially formalising recognition of Palestine.

Whether these moves lead to meaningful negotiations or further polarisation will shape not just Middle Eastern politics but also energy markets, global supply chains, and diplomatic alliances.

Burkina Faso declared UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata, denouncing a UN report on children in armed conflict as “unfounded” and biased. The government accused the report’s authors of equating its security forces with terrorists and said national authorities were excluded from the process.

️ Four ISIS attacks in Burkina Faso within 24 hours

Between August 16–17, 2025, ISIS launched a wave of coordinated attacks in northern Burkina Faso, ambushing pro-army forces, striking villages near Gorom-Gorom, and hitting an army convoy on the Sebba–Dori road. The assaults left heavy casualties and highlighted ISIS’s aim to cripple army logistics and control key transport routes.

Burkina receives activist Alino Faso’s remains

The remains of Burkinabe activist Alain Christophe Traoré, known as Alino Faso, who died in disputed circumstances in an Abidjan prison, arrived in Ouagadougou on Monday. Officials, family, and civil society received his coffin in a solemn ceremony, after weeks of public outcry rejecting the Ivorian suicide ruling and demanding repatriation.

Burkina Faso enacts territorial reorganisation by decree

Burkina Faso now counts 17 regions, 47 provinces, and 350 departments, with 13 regions and five provinces renamed. The changes were formalised by two decrees issued by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The war has displaced about 1.9 million people, roughly 90% of Gaza’s population and forced families to move repeatedly as Israeli forces issue evacuation orders.

Monthly data compiled by World Visualized from MoH reports show that fatalities escalated from 8,005 in October 2023 to 27,131 by January 2024 and continued rising steadily.

By June 2025, confirmed deaths reached 56,531, while injuries topped 133,642. Just one month later, in July 2025, the figures climbed to 58,573 fatalities and 139,607 injuries. The sharp increase underscores how even brief pauses in fighting have failed to stem the death toll.

The World Visualized graphics also highlight that while fatalities and injuries in June and July are almost equal in proportion, the absolute numbers continue to grow.

In June, there were 133,642 reported injuries and 56,531 deaths; by July, injuries rose by roughly 6,000, and deaths increased by over 2,000. OCHA notes that 86 % of the Gaza Strip is now either under evacuation orders or classified as an Israeli-militarised zone, leaving civilians with fewer safe areas to seek shelter and increasing the likelihood of casualties.

Beyond the casualty count, OCHA’s latest report warns of worsening humanitarian conditions. Severe shortages of fuel, water and medical supplies threaten to shut down critical services.

Malnutrition rates among children under five have more than doubled since March due to an Israeli blockade that severely restricts food deliveries. OCHA says that over 86 % of Gaza’s territory is either militarised or subject to displacement orders, leaving civilians squeezed into ever‑smaller areas.

UN agencies, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, have repeatedly urged Israel to protect civilians and allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

In mid‑July, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said Israel’s military campaign is creating conditions “incompatible with the continued existence of Palestinians in Gaza”. Humanitarian convoys coordinated with Israeli authorities are often delayed or denied: between July 9 and 15, nearly 17 % of aid movements were denied, and one-third faced obstacles.

In a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron declared:

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine … I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.”

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called France's decision a “reward for terror,” and warned it threatens Israel’s national security by risking the creation of a hostile Iranian proxy on its borders.

Adding his voice, Defence Minister Israel Katz also described the move as “a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism,” asserting Israel will not allow the establishment of a destabilising Palestinian entity.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, July 25, also rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to formally recognise Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, calling the move misguided and counterproductive to peace efforts in the Middle East.

"What he says doesn't matter. He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight," Trump told reporters.

As of March 2025, over 140 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood, alongside EU countries such as Ireland, Spain, Norway, Slovenia, and others.

While global attention often focuses on the population giants of India and China, Indonesia’s demographic footprint remains one of the world ’s most significant yet underrecognised stories.

As of 2024, here are the world’s most populous nations:

Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia by population, and the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world.

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia's population is spread across diverse urban centers like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan, as well as remote island communities.

According to the  World Bank , Indonesia’s median age is just 30.2 years, making it significantly younger than countries like China (39) or the U.S. (38.5).

This demographic advantage is often referred to as a “demographic dividend”, in other words, a window of opportunity for economic growth.

Sudan’s inflation rate continued its downward trajectory, falling to 145.14% in January, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Sunday. This marks a significant decline from 187.83% in December 2024. According to Sudan Tribune , the latest figures indicate a sustained easing of inflation over recent months. In November, inflation stood at 198.22%, down from 211.48% in October and 215.52% in September. The trend suggests ongoing stabilization efforts in the country's economy, though inflation remains high. The inflation rate measures the percentage change in the general price level compared to the same month in the previous year, reflecting shifts in purchasing power and economic conditions.

UAE pledges additional $200m Sudan funding

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged an additional $200 million (AED 734 million) in humanitarian assistance to Sudan, raising its total contribution to $3.5 billion. As reported by ARN News , the announcement was made during the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan held in Addis Ababa. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the significance of the conference, describing it as the first major humanitarian gathering for Sudan in 2025. The ministry highlighted that the event aims to pave the way for future international conferences focused on providing essential support to the Sudanese people.

UN appeals for $6 billion for Sudan crisis aid in 2025

The United Nations has launched a $6 billion appeal to provide critical aid to 26 million people affected by Sudan’s ongoing war and the millions fleeing dire conditions. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The war has displaced 12 million people, with 3.5 million seeking refuge abroad, according to OCHA and UNHCR, Arab News reports.

AU calls for immediate ceasefire amid worsening Sudan crisis

The African Union (AU) has urged Sudan’s warring factions to enforce an immediate ceasefire and initiate a political transition amid an escalating humanitarian crisis, AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye said at the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, calling Sudan’s war the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa and beyond, Adeoye condemned violations, particularly against women and children. The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has killed over 28,700 people and displaced 14 million. Despite Sudan's AU suspension since 2021, Adeoye emphasized that the crisis remains a priority for the AU and global peace efforts, News.AZ reported.

RSF-backed parallel government plans to acquire warplanes

Al-Hadi Idris, a key figure in forming a parallel government in RSF-controlled areas, announced plans to acquire warplanes and weapons to “defend citizens.” The signing of the political charter, initially set for Tuesday, February 18, in Nairobi, has been postponed to Wednesday, February 19, to accommodate more signatories, with constitutional arrangements and government formation to follow. Idris stated the new government aims to create a unified army from various factions, including the RSF, to protect against air and land attacks. Sudan Tribune reports that it will rely on self-sustained resources, opening border crossings and airspace, while welcoming international support. Regarding financial pledges, the UAE committed $200 million, Ethiopia $15 million, and Kenya $1 million for humanitarian aid, earmarked specifically for the peace government.

The special session was requested by the DRC and supported by 27 states, including Algeria, Belgium, and France.

The meeting will focus on the human rights situation in the east of the DRC, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where M23 armed rebels have been committing atrocities against civilians.

"Again, I think the international community, as part of their legal and moral responsibility to help Palestinians secure their right to self-determination, has to help them in this way, rather than pushing for other ideas that would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing and a sort of genocide by other means," Esmaeil said.

This isn't the first time concerns about ethnic cleansing have been raised.

A UN human rights expert, Francesca Albanese, warned in October 2023 that Palestinians are in grave danger of mass ethnic cleansing, calling for urgent international mediation to cease hostilities between Hamas and Israeli occupation forces.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has indeed reached a critical point, with the international community urged to take action to prevent further escalation.

During a recent interaction with AFP, Grandi highlighted the dire situation faced by millions of Syrians who are struggling to rebuild their lives after years of conflict.

But if sanctions are lifted, this will improve the conditions in the places also where people return. It will be an additional factor to encourage people to return. Why? It's simple. Because to invest in services, in infrastructure, to invest in the economy, to create jobs, sanctions make it impossible. Sanctions were created for another situation. So they have to be reviewed and hopefully lifted," he stated.

"On a scale of destruction, we are not only talking about the infrastructure, where probably between 65% to 70% of buildings in Gaza have either been entirely destroyed or damaged,” Steiner told the AFP. “We are also talking about an economy that has been destroyed, where we estimate that roughly 60 years of development have been lost in this conflict over just 15 months.”

The UN estimates that around 42 million tons of rubble must now be cleared, a process made perilous by unexploded ordnance, landmines, and the risk of encountering unrecovered bodies. This cleanup will require meticulous planning and substantial international support to prevent further loss of life.

Steiner highlighted the collapse of basic public services, noting that Gaza’s two million residents now lack access to clean water , functional sewage systems, and waste management facilities. "You have to imagine, 2 million people who are in the Gaza Strip have lost not only their shelter, they've lost public infrastructure, sewage treatment systems, freshwater supply systems, and public waste management. All of these fundamental infrastructure and service elements simply do not exist," Steiner explained.

Rebuilding Gaza will require tens of billions of dollars, a financial commitment that Steiner acknowledged will be a significant challenge for the international community.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed grave concern during a press conference in Geneva on Thursday. "There is evidence of the commission of war crimes and other atrocity crimes," she stated, referencing the growing pattern of violence targeting Sudanese minorities in the region, the AFP reports.

Shamdasani further addressed reports of chemical weapon use, including a U.S. report denouncing the Sudanese army’s possible deployment of such weapons. While the UN has not independently verified these claims due to limited access in Sudan, Shamdasani emphasised the seriousness of the reports. "These reports are very worrying, very concerning, and they do require further investigation," she said. "As you know, the use of chemical weapons is explicitly banned under international law."

However, the UN has documented other forms of violence, including the use of heavy weaponry in civilian-populated areas. "What we have documented is the use of extremely heavy weaponry in populated areas, including airstrikes in heavily populated areas and marketplaces," Shamdasani added. She called for an immediate halt to such indiscriminate violence, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilian lives.

The violence comes amid the ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been raging since April 2023. The conflict has already caused widespread displacement and humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands of lives lost and millions forced to flee their homes.

This week, Sudan’s military launched an offensive in Al-Jazira, recapturing its capital, Wad Madani, from the RSF. However, the victory has only intensified fears of further escalation and civilian suffering.

The event, attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former FARC leader Rodrigo “Timochenko” Londoño, celebrated progress while acknowledging the challenges that persist, the AFP reports.

DiCarlo expressed optimism about Colombia’s ability to achieve lasting peace. "In Colombia, you are writing a different story, one of expanding peace and inclusion. Comprehensive and lasting peace remains within your reach," she said.

President Gustavo Petro acknowledged that much remains to be done. "The political process has not been vigorous enough to put the peace process into practice," he said, adding that critical elements like agrarian reform are far from complete.

Former FARC commander Rodrigo Londoño urged Petro to push forward. “Mr. President, you signed a peace agreement in 1990. Now you have the responsibility to enforce the 2016 peace agreement. Count on us,” Londoño said.

Although the 2016 peace agreement has reduced overall violence, at least 1.5 million people have been displaced since its signing, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Dissident groups, the National Liberation Army (ELN), and criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo continue to fuel conflict in some regions.

China is hosting this forum without a current defense minister, as Minister Li Shangfu was unexpectedly dismissed last week without a stated reason. Although Zhang did not explicitly mention the nations responsible for "creating turmoil" in his speech, China has consistently criticized the United States for its stances on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"As we look across the world today, hotspot issues are arising one after another. The pain of war, chaos and turmoil, and loss of life are constantly playing out," Zhang said.

While Zhang refrained from specifying the countries responsible for "instigating unrest" in his opening speech, Beijing has consistently voiced strong criticism of the United States regarding its positions on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"However, some countries, for fear that the world may stabilize, deliberately create turmoil, interfere in regional issues, interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and instigate color revolutions.”

He also explained that in pursuit of their self-serving agendas, they scatter obstacles at every turn. They fabricate numerous geopolitical disputes, all the while advocating impartiality but secretly leaning toward one party, thus complicating and rendering regional circumstances unmanageable.”

"Nowhere is safe in Gaza. Compelling people to evacuate in these circumstances... and while under a complete siege raises serious concerns over forcible transfer, which is a war crime," Shamdasani emphasized.

The UN Human Rights Office pointed to actions such as forcible transfer, collective punishment, and the taking of hostages as the conflict extended into its 21st day. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani stated that it would be up to an independent court of law to determine whether war crimes had occurred.

Israel conducted extensive bombings in Gaza after Hamas militants crossed the border on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and the abduction of over 220 others, according to Israeli officials.

Israel has already implemented restrictions on the supply of food, water, and power to Gaza. This includes the suspension of fuel deliveries, with the rationale being concerns that such supplies could be utilized by Hamas for the production of weapons and explosives.

In preparation for an anticipated ground offensive, Israel's military has advised residents in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, which constitutes nearly half of its 2.4 million population, to relocate to the southern areas.

The health ministry in Gaza, meanwhile, which is under Hamas control, reported that the airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 7,000 individuals, with a significant number being civilians, including many children. This has led to increased calls for the protection of innocent people affected by the conflict.

"Israel's use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas has caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and loss of civilian lives that, by all appearances, is difficult to reconcile with international humanitarian law," she explained.

“Collective punishment is a war crime. Israel's collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza must immediately cease."

Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, a war crime represents a significant infringement of international law, targeting both civilians and combatants in times of armed conflict, and a "grave breach" of peace policies. This laid down a legal framework for warfare subsequent to the Nuremberg trials of prominent Nazi leaders.