Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Friday that Israel's actions in Gaza undermine the future ability of Palestinians to live in the Strip.

"In light of the cumulative impact of the conduct of Israeli forces in Gaza, the High Commissioner expresses grave concern that Israel appears to be imposing on Palestinians in Gaza living conditions that are increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in Gaza," Shamdasani said during a press conference on Gaza in Geneva.

She noted that "while Israel, as an occupying power, can lawfully order the temporary evacuation of civilians from certain areas, subject to strict conditions, the nature and scope of the evacuation orders raise serious concerns that Israel intends to permanently evacuate the civilian population from these areas, with the aim of creating a 'buffer zone'."

"The permanent displacement of civilians within the occupied territory amounts to forcible transfer," she said.

She pointed out that "Israel's closure of the crossings into the Gaza Strip for six consecutive weeks to date is exacerbating the already dire conditions under which Palestinian civilians live, preventing the entry of food, safe drinking water, medicine, and other essential aid and supplies."

She added: "Israeli officials have made statements indicating that the entry of humanitarian aid is directly linked to the release of the hostages, raising serious concerns about collective punishment of civilians and the use of starvation as a method of warfare, both of which constitute crimes under international law."

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement that "between March 18 and April 9, 2025, approximately 224 Israeli airstrikes hit residential buildings and tents housing displaced persons," noting that it is verifying "information related to approximately 36 airstrikes, indicating that the victims documented so far are exclusively women and children."

According to information from the Commission, "despite Israeli military orders requiring civilians to move to the Mawasi area in Khan Yunis, airstrikes continued to target the tents of displaced persons in that area. The High Commissioner has documented at least 23 such incidents since March 18."

Shamdasani said that these and other attacks "raise serious questions about Israeli forces' compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not directly participating in hostilities constitutes a war crime."

She also stated that "the targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists is escalating this disturbing trend. During the night of April 6-7, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent erected in front of the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, where a number of journalists were known to be staying. The strike reportedly came without warning."