The United Nations Human Rights Office states that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza 'may have repeatedly violated fundamental principles of the laws of war.' In a report released on Wednesday, June 20, six airstrikes conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces between October and December 2023 during the early weeks of the war in Gaza were examined; attacks in which over 200 people were killed according to this report. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that it appears Israel made no effort to 'effectively distinguish' between Palestinian civilians and Hamas fighters in the bombing of Gaza. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, 'The lives of civilians and infrastructure are protected under international human rights law. This law specifies very clear obligations for parties in armed conflicts that prioritize the protection of civilians.' The report notes that it is suspected that heavy bombs weighing between 113 kg and 907 kg were used in six attacks. The report also states that the continued missile attacks on Israel by Palestinian armed groups 'contradict their obligations under international humanitarian law.' The October 7 attack by Hamas militants that initiated the war in Gaza resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. According to the Israeli army, 251 hostages were also taken, of which 116 remain in Gaza, and '41 of them are likely dead.' Meanwhile, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State described Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, as 'psychopathic' during a Senate hearing. Barbara Leaf stated, 'He is ten levels underground, a psychopath who thinks he has been immortalized in history and believes he has paid a high price in Gaza.' The resumption of conflicts in the Middle East; Israel is ready for a large-scale attack on Lebanon, increasing concerns about the expansion of the war in the region; the leader of Hezbollah threatened to attack Israel and Cyprus. The White House canceled a meeting between the U.S. and Israel regarding Iran following criticisms from Benjamin Netanyahu.
UN Human Rights Office: Israeli Attacks on Gaza May Violate 'Laws of War'
The UN Human Rights Office reported that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza may violate international laws of war, with significant civilian casualties. The report highlights the lack of distinction made by Israel between civilians and combatants, while also noting the ongoing missile attacks from Palestinian groups. This situation raises concerns about humanitarian law and the potential for escalation in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The UN Human Rights Office reported potential violations of international laws of war by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, citing significant civilian casualties. The report also criticized ongoing missile attacks from Palestinian groups.
- Over 200 people were killed in six Israeli airstrikes between October and December 2023.
- The report highlights a lack of distinction between civilians and combatants in these attacks.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a longstanding issue, with periodic escalations leading to significant humanitarian and political challenges.
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