UN Condemns Gaza Deaths
The United Nations on Friday condemned the staggering number of civilian casualties in Israel’s war in Gaza, highlighting that nearly 70 per cent of the thousands of deaths it verified were women and children. In a detailed report, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) described numerous violations of international law since October 2023, many of which could potentially amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide. The report urged international efforts to prevent such “atrocity crimes” and ensure accountability.
UN Condemns Gaza Deaths: Alarming Civilian Impact
“Civilians in Gaza have borne the brunt of the attacks, including through the initial ‘complete siege’ of Gaza by Israeli forces,” the UN stated. The report highlighted unprecedented levels of fatalities, injuries, starvation, illness, and disease caused by Israeli actions. It criticized the Israeli government for failing to facilitate humanitarian aid, destroying civilian infrastructure, and causing repeated mass displacement.
Israel’s Response
Israel’s mission to the UN in Geneva categorically rejected the report, accusing the OHCHR of an inherent obsession with demonizing Israel. Despite this rejection, the UN continues to express serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “Gaza is now a rubble-strewn landscape,” said Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN rights office’s activities in the Palestinian territories. “Within this dystopia of destruction and devastation, those alive are left injured, displaced, and starving.”
UN Condemns Gaza Deaths: Systematic Cleansing
The report addressed the contentious issue of the civilian death toll in Gaza, verified by the UN as nearly 43,500 people killed. Despite Israel’s criticism, the UN maintained that its figures are reliable. According to the OHCHR, around 70 per cent of the fatalities verified during the first six months were women and children, highlighting a systematic violation of international humanitarian law. At least 4,700 of the verified fatalities were children and 2,461 were women.
Targeting Residential Areas
The report found that about 80 per cent of verified deaths resulted from Israeli attacks on residential buildings or similar structures. Children aged between five and nine were the largest group of victims, with the youngest being a one-day-old boy and the oldest a 97-year-old woman. Israel claims its operations only target combatants and comply with international law, but the UN report stresses that the high civilian death toll reflects Gaza’s demographic makeup rather than that of combatants.
Call for International Action
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on all nations to halt the violations and ensure accountability through credible and impartial judicial bodies. “The violence must stop immediately, the hostages and those arbitrarily detained must be released, and we must focus on flooding Gaza with humanitarian aid,” Turk urged.
Western Arms Supply
Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized states supplying weapons to Israel despite evidence of international law violations, arguing that this empowers belligerents elsewhere. HRW’s executive director, Tirana Hassan, emphasized that countries like the United States, Germany, and Britain should end arms sales to influence Israel’s actions and curb rights abuses. Hassan pointed out that continued military support sends a message that rules apply differently to allies and adversaries, undermining the credibility of international law and human rights defenders.
Credibility at Stake
The HRW chief warned that governments supplying weapons to Israel are jeopardizing their credibility as defenders of international law. “There is really no justification for the killing of children,” she asserted, highlighting the severe consequences of biased application of international rules.
This comprehensive analysis underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further atrocities and ensure justice for victims.
Meanwhile, Another attack by the Israeli military
Civilian Casualties in Gaza Intensify Amid Israeli Military Operations
The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, with numerous injuries reported across the region. Strikes on residential and civilian structures have compounded the humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands of Palestinians displaced and critical infrastructure severely damaged.
Attacks on Schools and Shelters in Gaza
In Gaza City and Khan Younis, Israeli forces targeted sites serving as shelters for displaced Palestinians. In Khan Younis, an airstrike on a tent shelter, which housed displaced families, left nine people dead and many others injured. Medical personnel at Nasser Hospital confirmed that bodies were brought in, while others sustained critical injuries in the attack.
A further assault targeted Fadi Al-Sabah School in Gaza City, where at least seven Palestinians died, and numerous injuries were reported. The school, repurposed as a shelter for families displaced by the conflict, sustained significant damage. Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital received the injured as emergency responders sought to provide medical aid.
Escalation and Civilian Toll
Since the onset of Israel’s military operation in Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 43,500 Palestinians have been killed, with the majority being women and children. This recent escalation began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli casualties and more than 200 hostages taken. Israel’s response, primarily targeting Hamas, has also inflicted substantial civilian casualties.
The widespread destruction has left areas of Gaza described as “almost uninhabitable.” Residential buildings, shelters, and essential infrastructure lie in ruins, as reports from the United Nations reveal that approximately 80% of civilian casualties have resulted from Israeli airstrikes.
Accusations of War Crimes and International Condemnation
The international community has voiced concern over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with allegations of war crimes and violations of international law. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is actively examining a case against Israel, addressing claims that the excessive use of force contravenes the Geneva Conventions.
Further complicating the international response, Karim Khan, chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), who leads the investigation into alleged war crimes, faces personal accusations of misconduct. This controversy has drawn attention as global bodies assess Israel’s actions in Gaza and consider accountability measures.
Calls for Humanitarian Aid and Ceasefire Efforts
As conditions deteriorate in Gaza, with critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, international organizations including the UN and various human rights groups have, therefore, called for immediate humanitarian aid and ceasefire negotiations. Consequently, the bombings have left Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure severely compromised, thus exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis.
Political and Military Tensions Remain High
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire face challenges, with Israel insisting on the eradication of Hamas, while Palestinian demands include an end to the blockade and cessation of military assaults. The Israeli Knesset recently enacted a law allowing for the deportation of family members of individuals labelled as terrorists, a measure that has added to the domestic and international tensions surrounding the conflict.
Global Reactions and Protests
The rising civilian death toll in Gaza has triggered international protests and intensified calls for accountability. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently remarked that resistance from Hamas and Hezbollah represents a setback for Israel, contending that Israel’s campaign against Hamas has led to global condemnation.
As the conflict persists, the toll on civilians, particularly women and children, continues to escalate. The ICC and other global institutions remain under pressure to address the crisis, though efforts to mediate a lasting peace remain at an impasse.
