A recent UN report discloses that approximately 70% of the deaths in the Gaza war are women and children, raising significant concerns over the conduct of military actions and potential war crimes.
UN Reports Alarming Civilian Casualty Rates in Gaza Conflict
UN Reports Alarming Civilian Casualty Rates in Gaza Conflict
The UN reveals nearly 70% of casualties in the Gaza conflict are women and children, highlighting severe violations of international humanitarian law.
The UN's Human Rights Office has released a troubling report indicating that nearly 70% of verified casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which spans from November 2023 to April 2024, are women and children. This analysis reveals that about 44% of the confirmed victims are children, while 26% are women. The high rate of civilian deaths, described by the agency as unprecedented, has been primarily attributed to Israel's military tactics in densely populated regions, which often involve the use of munitions with wide destructive effects.
According to the UN's findings, they have verified the deaths of 8,119 individuals, corroborating data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, which estimates over 43,300 deaths in the past 13 months. The report notes that a staggering 80% of these fatalities occurred in residential spaces, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the lack of adherence to international humanitarian law, calling for accountability regarding serious violations. He emphasized the necessity for distinguishing between combatants and civilians during military operations, proportionality in attacks, and the obligation to take precautions to protect civilian lives.
In a counter-argument, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that they strive to minimize civilian casualties and strictly adhere to international law. However, the report cites substantial devastation caused by both Israeli actions and the operational methods of Palestinian armed groups, which have included the launch of projectiles from populated areas.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, particularly in the northern region, which has faced a blockade since early October amidst intensified military action by Israel following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Aid organizations are increasingly alarmed by the conditions, with reports of significant damage across the area and widespread suffering among the civilian population.
Jan Egeland, from the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the aftermath of the conflict as catastrophic and expressed deep concern for the civilian population, particularly women and children, who bear the brunt of this ongoing situation. The report also highlights impending pressure from the United States on Israel regarding the flow of humanitarian aid to affected regions, related to potential military support.
According to the UN's findings, they have verified the deaths of 8,119 individuals, corroborating data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, which estimates over 43,300 deaths in the past 13 months. The report notes that a staggering 80% of these fatalities occurred in residential spaces, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the lack of adherence to international humanitarian law, calling for accountability regarding serious violations. He emphasized the necessity for distinguishing between combatants and civilians during military operations, proportionality in attacks, and the obligation to take precautions to protect civilian lives.
In a counter-argument, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that they strive to minimize civilian casualties and strictly adhere to international law. However, the report cites substantial devastation caused by both Israeli actions and the operational methods of Palestinian armed groups, which have included the launch of projectiles from populated areas.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, particularly in the northern region, which has faced a blockade since early October amidst intensified military action by Israel following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Aid organizations are increasingly alarmed by the conditions, with reports of significant damage across the area and widespread suffering among the civilian population.
Jan Egeland, from the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the aftermath of the conflict as catastrophic and expressed deep concern for the civilian population, particularly women and children, who bear the brunt of this ongoing situation. The report also highlights impending pressure from the United States on Israel regarding the flow of humanitarian aid to affected regions, related to potential military support.
