Switzerland 'deeply dismayed' by human suffering in Gaza

GENEVA

Switzerland said it is "deeply dismayed" by the human suffering in Gaza, urging fulfillment of requirements under international humanitarian law (IHL).

The IHL requires rapid, unimpeded humanitarian aid access from all parties, Switzerland's UN mission said on X early Thursday.

"We call on Israel to fulfill its obligations as occupying power towards the Gazan population," it said. "We urge for a ceasefire, hostage release and political solution based on two states."

Israel has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and collapsed the health system.

An ongoing blockade and insufficient aid distribution has led to several deaths by hunger and starvation.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.