I deplore the tirade of incendiary rhetoric being used in the Middle East war over the last couple of weeks by all parties, including the latest threats to annihilate a whole civilisation and to target civilian infrastructure. This is sickening. Carrying through on such threats amounts to the most serious international crimes.
Threats that spread fear and terror among civilians are unacceptable and must cease immediately.
Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime. Anyone responsible for international crimes must be held to account by a competent court.
I call on the international community to take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and to help protect the lives of all civilians.
