A recent UN report reveals that approximately 70% of the victims killed during the six-month Gaza conflict were civilians, primarily women and children, raising serious concerns over international law violations.
UN Report Highlights Devastating Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict
UN Report Highlights Devastating Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict
Nearly 70% of Gaza's war fatalities are women and children, with the UN's Human Rights Office raising alarm over violations of international law.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to alarming levels of civilian casualties, with a UN report indicating that nearly 70% of the verified war dead over a six-month period are women and children. In a detailed analysis, the UN's Human Rights Office noted that approximately 44% of those verified killed were children and 26% were women. The agency stated that this staggering number of civilian deaths can be significantly attributed to Israel's deployment of wide-area effect weapons in the densely populated territories of Gaza, although it acknowledged that some fatalities resulted from errant fire from Palestinian armed groups.
The report has condemned what it perceives as unprecedented violations of international humanitarian laws, raising the specter of potential war crimes. The UN has verified the deaths of 8,119 individuals from November 2023 to April 2024, with a striking emphasis on the age demographics of the deceased, particularly children aged five to nine. It also highlighted that around 80% of the casualties occurred in residential areas and housing structures.
Human Rights Chief Volker Türk pointed to the "indifference" towards civilian life emanating from the conflict and criticized both parties for a failure to adhere to fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. He stressed the importance of the laws of distinction and proportionality, which seek to protect civilian life during armed conflict.
The situation in Gaza, particularly in northern regions, is dire, with humanitarian organizations reporting widespread devastation and significant struggles for survivors who lack access to essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare. During a recent visit, Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, characterized the destruction as resembling post-war conflict zones, emphasizing that the heaviest toll is being borne by women and children.
The origins of the current military operations by Israel stem from a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties. The UN's findings emphasize the urgent need for a reassessment of combat strategies and more stringent adherence to humanitarian standards to protect civilian lives in such protracted conflicts.
The report has condemned what it perceives as unprecedented violations of international humanitarian laws, raising the specter of potential war crimes. The UN has verified the deaths of 8,119 individuals from November 2023 to April 2024, with a striking emphasis on the age demographics of the deceased, particularly children aged five to nine. It also highlighted that around 80% of the casualties occurred in residential areas and housing structures.
Human Rights Chief Volker Türk pointed to the "indifference" towards civilian life emanating from the conflict and criticized both parties for a failure to adhere to fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. He stressed the importance of the laws of distinction and proportionality, which seek to protect civilian life during armed conflict.
The situation in Gaza, particularly in northern regions, is dire, with humanitarian organizations reporting widespread devastation and significant struggles for survivors who lack access to essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare. During a recent visit, Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, characterized the destruction as resembling post-war conflict zones, emphasizing that the heaviest toll is being borne by women and children.
The origins of the current military operations by Israel stem from a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties. The UN's findings emphasize the urgent need for a reassessment of combat strategies and more stringent adherence to humanitarian standards to protect civilian lives in such protracted conflicts.
